Inder Jeet S ‘ Prince’
It was about 15 years ago when Jimmy Shergil made his debut as an actor in a film called “MAACHIS’’. But after being around for so many years, Jimmy remains the same simple shy guy who even doesn’t know how to below his own trumpet.
Recalling his debut making film, Jimmy says, “Post “Maachis’’, everything was so sudden that I couldn’t quite gauge my feelings. And no compliments came my way. By the time “Maachis’’ was released, I was a clean shaven and had cut my hair short so nobody recognised me.’’
It was only after he featured in a music video for the album “Woh Kaun Thi’’ that people took note of him.
50 films later, Jimmy is somewhat more comfortable about the bouquets that have come his way for films like “Mohabbatein,’’ “Haasil’’ “Munna Bhai MBBS’’, “Lage Raho Munna Bhai’’, “Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai’’, “A Wednesday’’ “My name is Khan’’, “Tanu Weds Manu” and “Game’’.
Jimmy has portrayed positive characters in films like “Munna Bhai MBBS’’, and “Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai’, Does this mean that he is selective about his roles or open to any kind of role? In the words of Jimmy Shergil’, I’ve no set rules to select a movie. At the same time, I like to follow the basics, which means a film should have a good script and it should be made under a good production house.’’
Jimmy played Shahrukh Khan’s younger brother in “My Name is Khan’’. Was it a safe step on his part to play Shahrukh’s younger brother ? In his own words, “MNIK gave me an opportunity to work with Shahrukh and Kajol. This opportunity came my way after my 12 years of struggle in Bollywood Again, it was a Karan Johar’s film. And it is not every day that Karan Johar calls you to star in his film. Again I did Jaheer’s role in “Munna Bhai MBBS’’ which was a small but important role. Today many big actors are doing small roles in big films. If something excites me, I will do it’’ says Jimmy Shergil.
Jimmy got married soon after the super hit “Mohabbatein’’. But he could not take his wife Priyanka on a honemoon.Post “Mohabbatein’’, Jimmy bagged films like “Haasil’’, “Dil Vil Pyar Vyar’’ “Dil Hai Tumahara’’ “Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar’’, “Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar’’ and “Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai’’. These films took him two years to complete. Then he decided to take a break. He went off to us for a good four months holiday. When he came back he was in no hurry to sign new films. Jimmy decided to do only one film in a year. And his 4 months break extended unintentially to almost a year.
Jimmy did “Charas’’, “Agnipankh’’ and “Yahan’’ but these films failed to do something good for him then came “Game’’ “Tanu weds Manu’’ and “Sahib Biwi Aur Gangester’’. Now a days Jimmy is busy shooting for the sequels of “Sahib Biwi aur Gangester ‘’ and “Tanu Weds Manu’’
According to Jimmy, the sequel of “Sahib Biwi Aur Gangester’’ is going to be more deadlier and packed with a lot more emotions than the earlier one. The sequel starts from where the Ist part ended. It so happens that audiences like a particular movie and they would like to see more of it. That is why makers decide to produce the 2nd part or as you say sequel of the movie. As long as the track of the movie is carefully picked from the end of the Ist part, sequels, are generally interesting.
Jimmy has done a number of Punjabi movies and is labelled as “Rajnikanth’’ of Punjabi films. Jimmy says,’’ I do Punjabi movies because I am from Punjab. It is my duty to do that for Punjab. Plus Punjabi films have a huge market in India and abroad. For me, it is primarily an emotional market.’’
Jimmy has established Jimmy Shergil production house and at present is busy producing only Punjabi movies. His latest Punjabi film ‘’Tavr Mitran Di’’ was a huge box office hit.
As Jimmy is busy with Bollywood and Punjabi cinema both, how does he maintain a balance? In his own words,’’ I don’t need to maintain any balance. I do one Punjabi movie a year and one or two Bollywood flicks. As far as Punjabi movies go, I leave it to my team to select scripts and rest of the work. Nevertheless, I ensure I am always there for publicity and promotions of the movie.’’
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