Playing a new beat

Known for his party numbers and comic timing, singer-actor Gippy Grewal is now playing Subedar Joginder Singh in a biopic on the Param Vir Chakra awardee who laid down his life for the country during the Indo-China War in 1962. He last appeared in Lucknow Central alongside Farhan Akhtar in 2017. “An actor always looks for an opportunity where he can perform beyond his usual routine. I have done many comedy films but in real life, I do not watch as many comedy film as people would expect,” says Grewal, who is still remembered for his “Angrezi Beat” number.

Excerpts:

Why this sudden shift from comedy?

I personally do not want to do many comedy films but if one film in a particular genre becomes a hit, there is demand for more. Almost everyone comes with a comedy script to me. This happens in Bollywood also as well as Ajay Devgn has to feature in Golmaal franchise.

How challenging was playing Subedar Joginder Singh?

It was a big opportunity for Punjabi films as it is first biopic to be made on that scale. I had to increase my weight in four months and my beard in another ten months. Now when I see myself in those pictures, I cannot think I was playing it, woh koi hor hi tha. In Bollywood films, actors usually use a false beard, do not wear proper uniform or sometimes the turban is not in place. I took it as an opportunity to show the nuances of a Sikh character.

Does the army look come naturally to you?

Though there are many family members in the army, I still observed many others once the role was offered to me. We have been planning this film for almost four years now and it took long to bring what we were actually planning to execute. The mannerisms, attitude and habits of officers in the army are very hard to imitate as they come after a long journey of proper discipline and to imbue them into the character was really a hard job.

There seems to be a surge in Punjabi film industry...

A majority of regular Bollywood films do not get a release in other countries like Canada, New Zealand and Australia where Punjabi films do a good business. That is why there is a growth in Punjabi film industry. There were no income from the satellite rights but from this year the channels are buying films and I am sure it will boost the market in general.

Has multiplex culture helped Punjabi films in markets like Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh?

Yes. It has helped in boosting the opening day collections of our films. That is why we are thinking of promoting this film as a pan India release with dubbed versions in Hindi and South Indian languages so that areas, where Punjabi films are not that common can understand it because its theme of patriotism is something which everyone can relate to. I have realised that the reach has been limited because there is no marketing for these films and now when we know it, we are trying to reach out to as many people as we can.

People outside Punjab know you more as a singer...

Our popularity as singers definitely add to our overall image as performers. The fan base increases when you are doing multiple things. Many people think that Punjab main to bas singer hi chalta hai but it is not the case. There are many singers in Punjab who did not do well but when actors like me and Diljit (Dosanjh) did well, people thought that it is a norm. Though we are doing Hindi films, we believe the characters we play should somewhere reflect our Punjabi sensibilities. Our emphasis is still on making Hindi-based Punjabi films.