Hollywood hunk Tom Cruise says he is never going to call it quits. Action films make him feel alive and he doesn’t get too perturbed with the gossip around his divorce with Katie Holmes or his religion, scientology. ‘At one point, you just have to let it go’, he tells Deebashree Mohanty in an email interview. Excerpts:
Tell us about Oblivion, your latest film...
The year is 2077. Jack Harper, the last drone repairman braves Earth’s barren wasteland 60 years after an alien race (pioneered by Scarvs) destroyed the moon which lead to global catastrophes and eventually, nuclear annihilation. Harper and his girl friend Vika are the only survivors of Post 42. The story revolves around how this duo fight against Scarv to bring back what originally belonged to them.
Jack still yearns for an Earth that was. But the primary job is maintaining smart drones that gather whatever resources are left on the planet. Writer-director Joseph Kosinski delivers a sci-fi adventure with the coolness he brought to his previous feature, and it has been an honour to work with such a filmmaker. Kosinski understands technology very well and he knows how to imbibe it in his films.
Are you happy with the way it has been received worldwideIJ
The film opened to a great weekend and we are hoping that it picks up as we get along. We have worked hard to get everything absolutely perfect. Oblivion is an out-and-out tech film and has a bit for everyone.
What are the fascinating tech gadgets that one will get to see in the filmIJ
It is a sci-fi film based in 2077 so the gadgets too are super evolved. Vika’s keyboard is an unbelievable surface. She talks to her boss Sally via onscreen prompts. Then, there is the white spaceship that Jack flies which can turn on a dime and comes with a matching motorbike. Their house is decked up with glass walls featuring illumined heads-up displays. Before Kosinski started making films, he was an extremely talented artist of conceptual architecture and he has done a brilliant job in Oblivion.
Doing sci-fi films at age 50 must be a tough jobIJ
I don’t feel as if I am 50 yet. There is no age to do good cinema and I will keep doing stuff till my body is willing. Movies are an integral part of my life and I don’t think I can quit ever. There are tons of tough scenes in Oblivion and I have done all that in single takes. I feel alive when I do action roles. As for life plans, I am not the types who has sorted out everything in advance. I wait till life throws a challenge at me.
How do you keep fitIJ
My funda is not to over do anything. So no over-eating, no over-exercising and definitely no-over stressing. That has worked for me so far. I do have a personal trainer who works with me 24/7. He understands my body and gives me a routine that is not too tough. Yoga helps me keep mentally fit which is more important than having a physique.
There has been a lot of talk around your religion, scientology...
I don’t know why. See, I have respect for what other people believe. And I expect them to reciprocate. Why is that so difficultIJ For me, life is a search for how I can do things better, whether it’s being a better man or a better father or finding ways for myself to improve. Individuals have to decide what is true and real for them and stand by it. You cannot let others rule your philosophy, your life.
Do you get swayed with all the rumours around youIJ
I don’t feel obliged to prove myself to anyone. There is gossip and then there is the reality. It is up to the people to believe in something. You cannot stop them from talking about you but at one point you just have to let it go. You can’t control gossip but you can control yourself.
How have you managed your time between family and professionIJ
Who says family and profession cannot be combinedIJ I have always been around my sisters and my mother. I have wanted to be a husband and a father.
We followed a simple rule — when I am shooting, Katie and Suri would come along and when Katie was out on her shoot we would accompany her. That ways we were always together.
Do you miss spending time with Suri after your divorce with Katie HolmesIJ
legally, I have quite a generous time with Suri and Katie doesn’t mind me spending more time with my daughter. She knows what we share is special. It is a tough time for all of us.