Jimmy Shergill is known for his role in the films like “Mohabbatein”, “Munna Bhai MBBS”, “A Wednesday” and many more. He started his career with “Maachis”, which did well at the box office and he was noticed by filmmakers.
The actor was recently in Delhi at the poster launch of his upcoming movie “Zainab”. He talks about the movie and his role in the film and his love for UP.
Tell us something about “Zainab”?
The movie is basically a socio-political drama. The incidents picked up from real life both socially and politically, blended into one nice script.
Something which is very sensitive, emotional and dramatic. The intention is to make a movie which tells the real incidents that happened in our country about which the general audiences are not even aware of.
What made you sign this film?
I remember when I first read the script a year back, it was a dummy. After reading the whole script I had tears in my eyes. The story moved me and I got ready to do this. My character is of a very powerful and solid politician based in Lucknow.
Most of the times, a director chooses this kind of a story for their third or fourth film.
One needs certain kind of maturity to handle something like this. Taking this for his debut Pranav did a brilliant job.
You hail from U.P. Is this the reason most of your movies are based in Uttar Pradesh?
I was born in Gorakhpur, U.P and did my early years of schooling in Lucknow and I guess it somewhere makes a difference. Flavours come into your character if you are from that particular place and it is easy to adapt them. Similarly, for my Punjabi movies, because I spend equal time there, it is easier to get into my character.
How do you prepare for your character?
If you read a script and are doing that film, as an actor you have to justify the character and its demands. So, I sit with my director and discuss about my look and while trying any look I am always careful that I should not repeat a character. Like in my upcoming movie, I am going to play a young politician. So, I have to work on the body language, the way he gives speeches. You cannot change your voice but what I can work on is looks, mannerism and body language.
A role you wish you had done or want to do?
There are many but if have to specify so I want to do a film directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia and a film on Shaheed Bhagat Singh something I love to do.
I idolise him and have his photograph in my bedroom. I know the kind of story Tigmanshu would have on Bhagat Singh and wish to see his take on the character.
