‘NEW ARTISTS FEEL SAFE WORKING WITH BIG STARS’
Diljit Dosanjh, who stars with big names from Bollywood in his next film, talks about his experience, criteria for selecting roles and more
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh will be seen with filmmaker Karan Johar, Sonakshi Sinha, Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh, among others, in the upcoming comedy film Welcome To New York. Being a part of an ensemble-cast movie can make some artistes insecure. But Diljit says he never felt he would be overshadowed.
“When you are working with big stars, the new artist feels really safe... I didn’t feel overshadowed. I am new in the industry. How can someone overshadow me? There’s nothing of that sorts right now. Maybe tomorrow, when I become something (big), I would think like that,” he says.
The actor also says that it was a learning experience to work with well-established names on the project, directed by Chakri Toleti. In the film, Diljit will be seen playing a struggling artist who dreams of becoming an actor.
In real life, Diljit has made a name for himself in the Punjabi film industry over the years, and in 2016, he forayed into Bollywood with Udta Punjab, which also starred actors Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. He is also a successful singer.
In Punjabi, Diljit has mostly starred in romantic comedies such as Jihne Mera Dil Luteya (2011), Jatt and Juliet series (2012; 2013), Disco Singh (2014), and Ambarsariya (2016). Does he want to continue being a part of the same genre? “I have never thought that this is a romantic comedy film or a serious film. Sometimes, you like a script, and then that role and what that character is trying to say. If I like that, then I do it. It is not based on what genre the film is. I would like to do films in all genres,” he says.
The actor says so far his journey in Bollywood has been very good. “I think I don’t deserve certain things, and I don’t have that much expectations. I would like to thank those with whom I have worked and [am] working with. I don’t think that I have that much of capability, but I am getting work and I am doing it,” he adds.
Diljit’s second Hindi film was the Anushka Sharmastarrer Phillauri (2017), and the films in the pipeline include Soorma. The film is based on the life of hockey player Sandeep Singh. Diljit says starring in a biopic is a huge responsibility. “Every actor wants to do a biopic and I am lucky that in my second year I got an offer to do one. I have tried giving my 100 per cent. As an actor, I have given as much as I could,” he says.