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It's all about loving your parents

Jimmy Shergill's new film takes a closer look at elders and old age homes

ON THE MOVE Jimmy has a variety of roles in his platter Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Jimmy Shergill has been in the profession for 11 years and yet, is not "a bankable actor" if one were to define him as per Bollywood trade circles. In Hyderabad for his new film, Umar, Shergill says, "Yeah, a film doesn't solely sell on my name. That way, I'm not calling the shots. But I take that as a positive sign. Because, I can do good films without the pressure of having to deliver a box office success."

After the critically acclaimed Yahan, which spoke about Kashmir, Shergill stars in Karan Razdan's Umar. "I play an orphan, who, along with Satish Kaushik, Kader Khan and Pran, fights for a cause. We look at how elders who aren't being taken care of find refuge in old age homes. It's an emotional but entertaining film," he explains.

Shergill reveals that at first, he was hesitant to accept Karan Razdan's offer. "You know the kind of films Karan has made recently. So, though he was a friend, I refused," laughs Sherrill, referring to Karan's controversial movie, Girlfriend. "Karan then asked me to listen to the script before making up my mind. When I heard the story, I consented."

Packed kitty

Coming up in April is an over-the-top comedy directed by Deepak Tijori, Tom Dick and Harry. "Again, Deepak had to convince me that he's making a clean film this time," laughs Shergill, adding, "I play a dumb guy and hence I've no dialogues. I'm looking forward to this film because I've never done a comedy like this before."

Shergill's roster for 2006 is packed. He features in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Eklavya alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt; Naseeruddin Shah's directorial debut Yun Hota To Kya Hota; Onir Ban's Bas Ek Pal; and a Punjabi movie among other projects. He treasures the experience of working in Naseeruddin Shah's film, and says, "The film has four stories that run parallel to each other and finally culminate. It's wonderful to be directed by Naseer. Luckily, I don't break into a sweat at the thought of having to act in front of him. Roles, more than people, intimidate me."

Citing an example, he explains, "I was nervous while acting in Munnabhai MBBS. I had to portray the emotions of a guy who refuses to accept that he has cancer and there's little hope. I had only a few scenes in the film, but they were memorable. The credit goes to director Raju Hirani. Acting as a hero in certain films hasn't given the satisfaction I got after doing the short role in Munnabhai." Finally, he reveals that he would be featuring in a guest role in the sequel, Munnabhai meets Mahatma Gandhi, as well.

SANGEETHA DEVI.K

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