Jimmy Shergill: I've never been able to sell sex in Bollywood

Jimmy Sheirgill, who has carved a niche for himself over the years, will be seen in yet another interesting role in 'Shorgul'. The versatile actor, known for films like 'Yahaan', 'A Wednesday', 'Bullett Raja' and 'Special Chhabbis', exclusive talks to Times of India about his next political drama, 'Shorgul'. Excerpts:

Let's begin with your next film, 'Shorgul' which is said to be a political drama. But your fans are eager to know what the film is all about and what surprise you have in store for them this time around.
Well, actually it's a love story with the backdrop of politics in UP. It's in a very realistic, hard-hitting space. Whoever enjoys these kinds of films must go and watch it. My character is that of a young, ambitious politician who will go to any lengths to achieve what he wants to. He is quite fierce and I had portrayed this kind of character before, so I enjoyed addressing those huge rallies and doing lecture baazi and all that.

But why call it 'Shorgul'? The title, on the face of it, doesn't encapsulate the subject of the film per se.
Well that's something even I don't know; I didn't choose the title. It was chosen by one of the people who felt that the film was far more powerful than the title. I still feel that we could have done with a better title.

From playing a lover boy to serious and intense roles, your journey as an actor has been quite impressive. Looking back, how difficult was it to get into Bollywood without any godfather?
I don't know how difficult or easy it is. In our times, there were lesser options. Today there are far better options and today, films go on to make crores at the box office.

Today, lots of films are made on social awareness and bringing prevalent social issues to the forefront. What do you have to say about this changing trend in Indian cinema?
Lots of new filmmakers are coming up and making films highlighting socio-political scenario. These kinds of films need to be made. Even Shorgul is like a socio-political film. But you need to find a balance between both the sides. If you have a debate then there are two sides that are debating on one issue.

In one your interviews, you had said you are an underrated actor...
Well, I don't call myself an underrated actor; it's the audience who feels so and I think that's a big compliment. At least, they don't say that I am an overrated actor and I don't deserve to be where I am today. I think it's a huge compliment for any actor to be called underrated.

Is there anything you wish you could have done differently in your career?
No, I don't think so. My first film was 'Maachis' and after the film released, whenever I used to meet the producers, I used to be clean shaven and sported short hair unlike my character in 'Maachis' who had beard and long hair. They wanted me to sport that look and I had to make them understand that it was for the character. So there was no identity. Post that I got Mohabbatein and after that I started getting the kind of work I wanted. But then I got stuck in the image of a chocolate boy. Later films like Haasil, Munna Bhai MBBS, Yahaan, Charas, A Wednesday, Tanu Weds Manu, Saaheb Biwi aur Gangster, Bullett Raja happened and those were conscious decisions because I wanted to break away from the chocolate boy image.

Do you think there is any mantra to success in Bollywood.
No, I don't think so. It is pure destiny and your hard work that would get you success. In our industry, destiny changes every Friday. So just keep working hard and be honest to your work and your profession.

Which is your most memorable film that you hold very close to your heart?
I am one of those actors who can name a lot of films as my memorable ones but if I have to name a film which is very close to my heart then it would be Yahaan because I always wanted to be in the Army. And we worked really hard for that film, so yes, it is very special.

Do you agree that sex sells in Bollywood?
I am probably the wrong person to answer that question because I've never been able to sell it. If I try it in a film and succeed then probably I will be in a better position to answer that.

What do you have to say about the entire 'Udta Punjab' controversy? Do you agree with Censor Board suggesting these many cuts?
Actually I haven't even seen the film, and I am a kind of person who would never make a hue and cry about something unless I have watched it. I am a very simple person. I have been offered to contest elections by so many political parties but unless I have my heart and soul in it, I don't do it. I cannot comment on something till I have watched it. If a film is made and presented in a good way and is giving away a good message to the society then that's fantastic. But if a film is showing things in a wrong way then that's not good. But I can comment on a film only after I have seen it. I don't want to say something today because it's a burning issue and later regret having said that. I don't care of what people might have to say, but I myself would regret having said something without watching it.

Celebrities are often trolled on social media. What's your take on that?
I want to know these things. I am very bad at social media. I have all social media applications in my mobile but I still get confused about which icon belongs to which app. If there is something written about me, good or bad, or if my name has been mentioned somewhere, I get confused what to do and where to go to read it. So I am that bad at all these things but I will figure it out one day I am sure.

Let's do a rapid fire round. Ready?
Yes, I am.

Ok. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I don't where I will be after 10 days and you are asking me about 10 years. I don't know really.

Favourite actor?
Irrfan Khan. I had said during Haasil and he still continues to be my favourite.

If 'Mohabbatein' was to remade today, who would you love to see in the film? Any dream cast?
I don't know about other people I would definitely want to be in the remake.

Actress you wish to work with?
I had worked with Tabu in my first film and I would love to work with her again.

Any dream Project?
A film with Gulzar Sahab because I started my career with him and I would love to work with him again.

One yesteryear actress you would love to romance now?
Madhuri Dixit is the actress I would love to romance with on screen.

One film you wish you hadn't done.
Ha ha! There are quite a few but let's not talk about that.

One shocking rumour that you heard about yourself?
Well there have been many but none have been about my link-up with anybody or me being dead.

Given a chance, which reality show you would love to be part of?
I can't really participate in Bigg Boss, I am sure of that. But maybe a dance-based show won't be a bad idea.

A bad habit you want to get rid of?
Ha ha! Bad habits die hard! I don't know what a bad habit is for you. What's a bad habit for you might not be a bad habit for me and vice versa. I am addicted to black coffee so maybe that

Do you feel jealous of anyone in Bollywood?
No, I don't. I wish I did.

A Hindi remake of a Hollywood film you would like to be a part of?
Godfather!

Your close friends in the industry?
All directors who did their first movie with me are my closest friends.

Your favourite holiday destination?
Canada and Vancouver.

Mohabbatein or Tanu Weds Manu?
I think that's a given. Tanu Weds Manu!

I am okay with acting.

Rate yourself as an actor?
When you guys underrating me as an actor, how can I overrate myself? I am happy being underrated.

Wonderful actor. N quite cool

unluckily both good actors where not so good with bhai's of BW 😕 😕 😕 though chandrachud singh worked with top heroines of his time ...jimmy somehow somewhere lost himself in yash raj banner

but i am happy he is somewhere still going around punjabi and other neo hindi films