Ek munda Punjabi

Actor Jimmy Shergill couldn't be more elated. His Punjabi film, Mel Karade Rabba, has broken box-office records across USA, UK, Australia and Canada.

The actor's had a dream run in Punjabi films scoring hits year after year. Even on the Bollywood front, he's got several projects lined-up for this year. He opens up:



Slow and steady...

I think, A Wednesday was a sort of turning point for me. I have become a bit more selective about films now. My backlog of films is over, and I want to take it easy now. There was a time when I was working day in and day out without a pause. Now, I want to sit back and think twice before signing a film.

Fretting over flops is not my style. But as an actor, it does feel sad when a good film is not promoted well or just goes unnoticed.

I have done films where the roles seemed exciting and some, where I was very comfortable with the makers. However, the faith shown in me by some of my directors has been a huge source of motivation.

Punjab da tadka

Being a Punjabi myself, I feel I should contribute my bit towards Punjabi cinema. That's why I decided to do at least one Punjabi film every year.

My first film was Yaaran Nal Bahara, which was directed by cinematographer-turned-director, Manmohan Singh. It was a huge success. The Punjabi audience across the globe is a very emotional one. They love stories that are rooted in their homeland.

Presently, the Punjabi film industry is doing very well, which is a great sign as the majority of the film watchers in India and abroad are Punjabis. I also love shooting in Punjab, especially in winters, since the weather is great. The food there is to die for and it is always great connecting with my buddies from Patiala, my home town.u00a0

Keeping the faith

There's something magical about the air there. Memories come flashing back whenever I am at home. I have been brought up with strong religious and spiritual values.
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My faith in God has helped me a lot in life. It has helped me stay balanced and grounded. If time permits, I like going to religious places like Shirdi, Amritsar, Tirupati, etc. It's not that I'm overtly religious, the trips are merely a means to connect with God. I used to be superstitious earlier, but that has changed now.

Who: Jimmy Shergill

What: Talking about his Punjab connection