Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol actor Ilia Volok on Bollywood: Creativity breathes freely

With a filmography spanning over 200 Hollywood projects and collaborations with acclaimed directors such as Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, David Fincher and Roman Polanski, Ilia Volok has worked across a wide spectrum of the Western film industry.

Now, the actor is set to make his Bollywood debut with Faraar, directed by Kushagra Sharma and starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. In a candid conversation, Volok talks about stepping into Hindi cinema, working alongside Nawazuddin, the creative contrasts between Hollywood and Bollywood, and why his first visit to India left a lasting impression.‘The script convinced me instantly’Ilia didn’t hesitate when Faraar came his way. He says, “I’ve always been fascinated by Hindi cinema and hoped that one day I would get the chance to work in Bollywood.

When I was approached for Faraar and read the script, which I loved, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to be part of the project.”A major factor was Kushagra’s collaborative approach. He shares, “He was open to my suggestions and ideas. That openness is valuable. It allows an artiste to exchange ideas freely and flourish, ultimately benefiting the film.”

‘Nawazuddin approaches acting through emotional truth’Ilia speaks with admiration about his co-actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

He says, “From the first moment on set, it was clear that Nawazuddin is a master of his craft and a complete professional.”They quickly discovered a shared acting philosophy. He adds, “I sensed that his approach aligns with the style of method acting I was trained in. It focuses on emotional truth & encourages an actor to explore a character’s inner emotions and motivations.”

‘Tom Cruise is generous as a scene partner’Elaborating on his experience with Tom Cruise on Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Ilia highlights discipline and generosity.

“What struck me most was his focus and attention to detail, as well as his generosity as a scene partner. I knew he was there to help if I had any questions or needed clarification,” he recalls.For Ilia, these qualities define true professionalism. He adds, “Some actors get distracted by external aspects of stardom. Some focus too much on superficial things, like the size of their trailer or vanity van. I prefer working with those who see acting as a continuous process of growth.”‘Too much structure can stifle creativity’For all its scale and technical precision, Ilia finds Western studio filmmaking more rigid. He explains, “I would say that within the Hollywood structure there is less room for improvisation. Working on Faraar taught me to be more open to the director’s new ideas and changes on the day of the shoot. That was refreshingly surprising! I think too much structure and control can potentially stifle creativity.

In Bollywood, creativity breathes freely.

”‘Nothing replaces experiencing India first-hand’Reflecting on his first visit to India last November to shoot a portion of the film, the actor says the experience reshaped his perspective. “Even though my visit was brief, I was blown away by this amazing country and its people. Over the years, I’ve heard and read about India, but nothing can substitute first-hand experience,” he says.What stayed with him most was the warmth of the people. He shares, “Their kindness, warmth and generosity left a strong impression on me. I look forward to another visit soon.”