Diljit Dosanjh speaks on his latest film Good Newwz, Akshay and Kareena

BOLLYWOOD: Diljit Dosanjh is the first turbaned Sikh superstar  of Bollywood cinema. Roles are being written specially for him by the biggest of production houses in Mumbai. The man himself remains quiet and exceptionally humble in a business where I’ve known actors and actresses to change overnight into self-obsessed  monsters. Not Diljit. He remains the same affable, affectionate respectful Sardarji.

But don’t take him for granted. This Sardarji knows when to assert himself.

In a conversation, Diljit speaks his heart out:

Q: Diljit, you have one more film Good Newwz just released? It looks like your most non-vegetarian film to date?

You mean, because it’s about IVF and pregnancy?  Why would my fans be annoyed? Zamana badal gaya hai. Earlier, when the hero and heroine got intimate they would show two flowers touching…But today if we show intimacy in the old-fashioned way, we’d be booed out of the theatres.

Q: What was your reaction when you were first offered a film on in-vitro fertilization?

To be honest, mujhe toh pata hi nahin tha yeh kya hota hai!

Q: Arre, aapke producer Karan Johar ke twins bhee isi procedure se aaye hain iss dharti pe?

Achcha? Chalo ji. Tab toh yeh ghar ki baat hui. I feel Good Newwz is  a socially relevant comedy about two childless couples played by Akshay with Kareena, and Kiara Advani with me. There are so many childless couples these days trying so hard to have children.

Q: And lately there have been significant films on this theme like Tamara Jenkins’ Private Life and Harry Wootlif’s Only You?

Maine yeh filmein nahin dekhi. But when I heard the script for Good Newwz, I immediately warmed up. I got a chance to work with Akshay Paaji. Bada mazaa aaya. Shooting with Akshay Paaji is  like a picnic. Kab shuroo hua kab khatam pataa hi nahin chala.

Q: Did Akshay play one of his famous pranks on you?

No, no. I’ve grown up watching his films. I can’t dream of doing masti with him. But he makes everyone so comfortable on the sets. He is an inspiration to all of us.

Q: Why do you both pronounce ‘sperm’ as ‘spam’ in the trailer  of Good Newwz?

Kyunki mere character ki angrezi kamzor hai. Woh ‘spam’ bolta hai. So Akshay Paaji also does the same just to tease him.

Q: Was Kareena Kapoor Khan another incentive for doing Good Newwz?

(Brightens up) She’s a favourite. Everyone knows that. I’ve had the privilege of working with her in two films. In my first Hindi film Udta Punjab she was cast opposite me. But in Good Newwz she’s with Akshay Paaji, so we have less scenes together.

Q: Your single ‘Kylie + Kareena’ is a hit. One doesn’t know if Kylie Jenner has heard it. But Kareena certainly did.

I am truly happy that Kareenaji noticed my song, and liked it. It was just something I composed on a whim because both Kylie and Kareena had the letter ‘K’ in common. So I put the song together for my two ‘Krush’ (with the letter K).

Q: Kareena complains that you don’t talk much?

Woh kya hai jee, they talk in English on the sets. Main beech mein Hindi mein bolu toh achcha nahin lagta. But from now, I’ll definitely make an effort to speak to her. She makes me nervous. Itni badi star hain. But no airs at all. Udta Punjab was my first Hindi film and she is a superstar. She could have easily said no to being paired with someone who was unknown in Hindi cinema. But she agreed to work with me. I learnt so much just being around her.

Q: What went wrong with your last Hindi film Arjun Patiala?

I don’t know, Sirjee. Lekin kuch toh gadbad ho gayi. The comedy didn’t work. No, that film was not happening.

Q: Does failure disappoint you?

Failure kisse pasand hai? But I am not new to this business. I have been singing and acting for ten years. Singing remains my first love.  I can live without acting. But I can’t live without singing. My live concerts are my lifeline. When I’m there on stage, I feel the direct and immediate love of my fans. On stage when I perform I feel I am communicating with my audience. It’s a feeling that no other form of expression can replace.

Q: How does it feel to have your wax figure at Madame Tussauds?

I am still pinching myself. When I got that call from them (Tussaud’s) informing me that they want to do my statue, my  response was: ‘Mera kyon? What have I achieved?’

Q: You are the first turbaned Sikh to get his own wax statue at Tussauds?

Before me, another Sikh Milkha Singhji was honoured at Tussauds. But his statue did not have him in a turban. So I think I’m the first turbaned Sardar to be featured at Tussauds. I am humbled for all the love of Indians I get from all over the world.

Q: Do you feel your reach is restricted in Bollywood since you can only play Sardar roles?

I know I am a turbaned Sardar and I can only play Sardar roles.  Either that, or producers should be willing to alter the script to accommodate my physical appearance. But I won’t call this a  restriction. It is my good fortune that I am the first Sikh to be playing lead roles in Hindi films.

Q: What about your presence in Punjabi films?

Oh, that will never stop. No matter how busy I get, I will do at least one Punjabi film every year. It’s a promise I’ve made to myself.

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