‘MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH IS TOUGH’
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh says one has to put a ‘lot of effort in comic parts’; adds he isn’t able to give enough time to singing now
Back in Punjab, he is adored for his fun, comical outings in films such as the Jatt & Juliet series, Disco Singh (2014) and the Sardaarji franchise. But unlike his several outings in Punjabi cinema, Diljit Dosanjh started off in Bollywood with rather serious parts such as Udta Punjab (2016), Phillauri (2017) and Soorma (2018). But now, with Good Newwz, the singer-actor has landed in Bollywood’s ‘fun’ zone as well. “For me, more than anything, the film’s main theme [of IVF or in vitro fertilisation] was the biggest highlight,” says Diljit. Excerpts:
Your fun part in Good Newwz reminds one of your much-loved avatars from Punjabi films…
I wasn’t able to find such a fun script, idea [in Bollywood]. That opportunity never came. Finally, yeh ek aisi script mili mujhe wherein I could do a kind of film that has got me so much love in Punjab. Through this film, I hope people will watch and like a new side of me. I have tried to do the best from my side.
Do you personally enjoy the fun, comic space more?
Main har tarah ki cheez enjoy karta hoon. In serious parts, things become a bit easy. But you’ve to put a lot of effort in comic parts. Making people laugh is tough. Emotional parts mein background music hota hai, and you make a sad face and then, there’s also glycerine (laughs). But in comic scenes, the punch has to be correct and must be delivered on time. So, the timing is of paramount importance. Also, it shouldn’t appear that aap ratta maar ke bole jaa rahe ho. That also doesn’t work. Whenever I do comedy, I feel that I’m putting in effort. But when I do Soorma or Udta Punjab, it feels, ‘theek ho gaya hai.’
You are loved as much for your singing as well. With a busy acting career, do you ever feel sad that you aren’t able to give your passion as much time now?
I don’t feel sad as acting is also my work. I’ve earned new fans due to it. There are many, who haven’t heard any of my songs but they have watched my films. And I don’t want to lose any of them. But I surely feel that I’m not able to try as many songs and variations as I can. Jitna time mujhe [recording] studio mein dena chahiya woh nahi ho paa raha hai. A film takes up two or three months and 12-13 hours a day. So, I am not able to give that much time [to singing]. But I still try ke gaane karta rahoon. I can sing many kinds of songs, but nahi kar paata due to lack of time.
Talking about Good Newwz, what’s the biggest USP of it that attracted you the most?
It was the film’s story and its subject, since it talks about a very important topic – IVF. For me, that was extremely important since we are addressing a relevant issue. We haven’t had such a film earlier. Plus, I really liked my role, too. The star cast and makers are also very talented and reputed. And our director, Raj Mehta is very talented. Lagta hi nahi hai ke unhone pehli baar film direct kari hai. He was always very sorted.