‘Budget Isn’t Everything’: Vidyut Jammwal Reveals What Shocked Him About Hollywood While Talking Street Fighter

Vidyut Jammwal is taking Indian action onto the global stage with his Hollywood debut as Dhalsim in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter. But while speaking about the film, the action star revealed that it was not the enormous Hollywood budgets that impressed him the most. Instead, it was the discipline on set, the working culture and the strict laws protecting technicians that made the biggest impression on him. At the same time, Vidyut opened up about why he still loves performing dangerous real stunts even in an era dominated by VFX and AI.

Asked about his preference for real action despite the availability of advanced visual effects, Vidyut said, “I really enjoy doing it. I love facing that fear; it feels great. Everything I have achieved—what others call an 'achievement'—is something I either hadn't originally envisioned or was once terrified of. When I finish a stunt and people try to copy it—and I’m often told not to do such things because others might imitate them—I actually want them to copy it, because I, too, learned by imitating others. But regarding VFX... well, AI has arrived now. Yes, we do use it, and we should use it. Audiences have seen so much by now; we have to surpass those benchmarks. So, we ought to utilize it. I get very excited when I see youngsters fully engaged with AI. It assures me that our country's future is bright—it’s going to be amazing. Thank you.”

That philosophy is particularly relevant to his role as Dhalsim, one of the most unusual fighters in the Street Fighter universe. The character is known for his yogic abilities, extraordinary flexibility and spectacular fire attacks—powers that would be impossible to reproduce literally without extensive visual effects. Vidyut believes the film's ability to faithfully bring the game world to life is one of the reasons it can appeal to audiences far beyond gaming fans.

“I’ve been telling people that this movie isn't just for gamers. People used to ask me, 'There aren't that many gamers in India, are there?'—especially when comparing us to the US, Japan, China, or South America. While we do have many gamers, the numbers aren't quite as high there. But what you see on screen—the exact characters from the game, their fighting styles, and their temperaments—is all faithfully portrayed in the film. Everything from the game is in the movie; that’s something that hasn't happened before. Even the way the characters speak—it’s all a first. And that’s what will make it work in India. It’s not just for gamers; the film has this wild, crazy energy. There’s fire being unleashed, limbs stretching—things that seem absurd. Yet, it’s all executed so realistically through VFX and green-screen work that it doesn't feel fake; it feels entirely plausible. It’s like seeing Lord Hanuman flying while carrying a mountain—you just accept that it’s possible. That’s the level of excellence involved. So, people are really going to enjoy the movie.”

But perhaps the most revealing part of Vidyut's conversation came when he compared his experience of working in Hollywood with the Indian film industry. “Sir, there’s a huge difference. I used to hear from friends and actors who knew about Hollywood—they’d always talk about the budget, budget, budget. While budget isn't everything, theirs is massive. But what really struck me was the discipline. I witnessed 300 people on set strictly adhering to discipline. What does that mean? Well, whether it’s 50 Cent, Jason Momoa, Cody Rhodes, or anyone else—the concept of showing up late simply doesn't exist. You’re under contract, and you have to be there. There’s no such thing..."

Vidyut went on to describe a production environment where even a minor delay can immediately raise concern. “…the thought that I might be late. They aren't aware of all that. And if someone happens to be even a minute late, they call to check if perhaps the person has ended up in the hospital. That’s how it is. So, what’s the difference? It’s massive. The laws are so strict. If you work overtime, every technician is paid for every single minute. Technicians actually look forward to working overtime; they don't feel they’ll be cheated. The laws are very different—very different. So, when you experience something like this alongside such legends, you realize just how different it is. It will take us time to reach that level. I was looking at a trash bin outside. People were throwing garbage into it, but it was spilling over because the bin was full. We are following the rules and laws, but we can improve; we can change a little bit more.”

The actor's Hollywood experience has come through a film featuring a formidable ensemble. Alongside Vidyut, Street Fighter stars Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Callina Liang, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa'i, David Dastmalchian, Cody Rhodes, Eric André, Andrew Schulz, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Jason Momoa. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the film follows Chun-Li as she brings together Ryu and Ken Masters for a martial arts tournament against M. Bison.

As Vidyut prepares to introduce his version of Dhalsim to a worldwide audience, his comments reveal an actor equally fascinated by the craft, technology and working culture behind modern action cinema. He may still love the rush of performing a dangerous stunt for real, but his message is equally clear: the future belongs to the perfect combination of human skill and cutting-edge technology. Street Fighter arrives in cinemas on October 16, 2026, in what promises to be a major new chapter in Vidyut Jammwal's international journey.