It’s the Fighter, Not the Art, Says Vidyut Jammwal While Talking Martial Arts and Street Fighter

Known for his high-octane action films and mastery of multiple martial art forms, Vidyut Jammwal believes that the real difference is not made by a particular style of martial arts, but by the person practising it. During an interaction with us while promoting his upcoming Hollywood action comedy Street Fighter, Vidyut opened up about what truly makes a great fighter and why, according to him, discipline and repeatedly returning to the basics matter more than chasing advanced techniques.

When asked which form of martial arts he considers the best, Vidyut said, “I am frequently asked which martial art style is the best—it’s a question that comes up everywhere. Personally, I feel that all styles are essentially the same because we all have just two arms and two legs—and most people have ten fingers. So, I believe it comes down to the fighter. What sets a fighter apart is discipline—specifically, how often you’ve practiced the basics. It’s not about advanced skills; you have to go back to the basics. You have to go back to the basics. And as you delve into the basics, you gain such a deep understanding of the techniques that every aspect of your performance becomes excellent. So, I can’t tell you which specific martial art is the best, but I can tell you the best way to approach it: repeat the basics. Go back to the basics.”

Taking his point beyond professional fighters, Vidyut explained how the same philosophy can apply to everyday life and fitness. He added, “I tell this to people my mother's age, too. You don't have vertigo; you don't have bone pain; yet, you’ve stopped doing things you used to do with ease—like the way one used to sit down and get back up. Why? If my mother were to do that movement ten times, she’d be fit within two days. It comes back to the basics. So, I think the basics are key.” For Vidyut, it is this consistency and discipline that ultimately separates someone who merely knows a technique from someone who truly becomes a fighter.

The conversation then shifted to his experience of working on a global project like Street Fighter and whether moving across languages, film industries and different creative environments had prepared him for the Hollywood project. Vidyut said, “It wasn't just working in different languages that shaped who I am; it’s about so much more—where I come from, the friends I’ve had, the people I hang out with, and the people I play sports with. Every athlete is different. Whether it’s a cricketer, an extreme sports athlete, or a wrestler—they are different. All these guys have really shaped who I am; it’s been incredible.”

Talking about sharing the screen with some of the biggest names attached to Street Fighter, Vidyut recalled the experience with excitement. He said, “For me, just being on a set with two lead figures—knowing that a clash is coming and that we have to fight it out (and I mean on the set)—has been an incredible feeling. These are men who haven't just succeeded; they’ve achieved massive success—true legends. I spent about 45 days with '50'—that’s actually his name, you have to call him '50', even though his name is Curtis James Jackson. But I’ve never heard anyone call him Curtis; he just doesn't look like a Curtis. I’ve always liked Roman Reigns, but after spending time with him, I grew to like him even more. He’s different—a different breed of man.”

Praising Roman Reigns further, Vidyut added, “Roman is huge; as anyone who knows him would agree, he is incredibly big and fit, yet kind, gentle, honest, and truthful. He possesses all these qualities. He is unique. I really enjoyed working with him. The journey has been incredible; I’m still learning, and it’s so much fun.” Directed by Kitao Sakurai, Street Fighter is the third live-action feature-length film based on Capcom’s popular video game franchise. The ensemble cast includes Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Callina Liang, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, David Dastmalchian, Cody Rhodes, Eric André, Andrew Schulz, Vidyut Jammwal, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Jason Momoa. The film follows Chun-Li (Callina Liang), who recruits Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) for a martial arts tournament and a confrontation with M. Bison (David Dastmalchian). Street Fighter is scheduled to release in the United States on October 16, 2026, with Paramount Pictures distributing the film.