Diljit Dosanjh could be dressed in the most stylish clothes, but there is something of the kind, genial personality that never goes away. Unlike stars like Akshay Kumar or Shah Rukh Khan who walk into a room and command attention, Dosanjh's arrival is not marked with fanfare, but rather the soft-spoken 'Hello ji'.
At the media interactions for Good Newwz, his humility was one of the points raised by media personnel. On being asked how he keeps away from the ego that soon infects an actor on the rise to stardom, Dosanjh said, "When it will come, I will not know it. When a person gains that attitude, he does not know he is showing it. It comes like that."
To boot, the actor even clarified that he does not consider himself an insider or an outsider to the film industry. He said, "I don't deserve so much praise for my work. I am a singer, not even an actor. I started doing films just like that. It's not like I wished to become an actor. I only got what I got by chance."
With Good Newwz (2019), the actor stepped up to face the camera alongside Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Full of praise for Akshay's Kesari (2019), the actor added, "He has great timing. His timing and boyd language are exceptional."
Good Newwz released in theatres on 27 December, and earned an impressive Rs17.50 crores on its opening day.
Following are excerpts from the interview
Did you have fun on the set with Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor Khan?
Well, it was fun. We never realised when the shoot got done. It went so fast.
What was your reason to say yes to the film?
The story was very good, I loved it. And I loved my role in the film. I wanted to do it the minute I heard it.
What was the factor in the story that drew your attention?
There was a very funny comedy element in the goof up. That I loved. The end point, where the film concludes, also has a very emotional draw. I thought it would touch families, and I loved it.
This is your second film back-to-back with Kareena Kapoor Khan (Udta Punjab, 2016). People often complain of not getting a chance to work with her?
It was written, I suppose. It happened. (laughs)
But was it more comfortable, a better chemistry?
I am always comfortable. If I am not, I don't do the film. (laughs) I am a fan of both Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor Khan, so there is always a little nervousness. But once the camera goes on, there is nothing else to see.
Were you aware of the two being part of the project before?
Of course, I was the last to be cast in the film.
Is their presence a reason for you accepting the film?
No. If my role is not good enough, I don't do a film. I have given up several projects like that. I like the story, and there was something else for me.
How difficult is comedy for you?
Comedy requires some effort. Emotion is easier to do. A film belongs to a director anyway, but I think comedy.
Akshay Kumar has established his own brand of comedy. So, how did you match up with him? How did that chemistry work out?
He has great timing. He did what he does, and I did what I do. His timing an body language are exceptional. I did not try to compete, but focused on my character.
Would you prefer to do more comedies?
Yes, if the role and the story are good enough. A lot of my Punjabi hits are comedies. Here, there are a few roles I get. Kids connect to you through the comedies. They turn up at the shows. Everything I do is connected with my live shows, after all. (laughs)
I am working on a period film, can't talk about it for now. All I can say is that it is set in the 1990s and is a very interesting character.
Anything on the digital medium?
Yes, I am working on one in 2020. We are planning right now, and will make an announcement soon. It is a very serious one.
Do you get disappointed if your film does not work well at the box office? For instance, Arjun Patiala (2019) faired poorly...
That's alright. If a film works, it works. You have to stand by your work. You chose the subject. Every film does not always work according to your point of view. It belongs to the director.
Even Good Newwz belongs to the director. Although Raj Mehta is a debutant director, he was very sorted in his thoughts and ideas.
Is there any aspect by which you refuse films?
To be honest, I don't know much about films. In my team, there is hardly anyone who understands films. I just accept projects that I like. Sometimes, even when I am on the set, I keep thinking 'Rehne de [Leave it be]. Why are you working so hard?' Just like that films get made.
Some comedy films work in a certain language, but remaking them in Hindi does not work? What do you think about it?
In Punjabi for instance, we would have made Arjun Patiala differently. In Punjabi, I can make any film. Every place and language has a punch that sets it apart.
You are completing almost three years in the industry. How much have you become a part of the entire routine? Or is there still a sense of the outsider in you?
I don't even consider myself an insider in the Punjabi film industry. I only consider myself a part of the project that I am working on. I cannot go to a place and make myself a part of it.
How do you look at your career graph so far?
Theek hai [It's okay]. I don't deserve as much. I am a singer, not even an actor. I started doing films. Its not like I wished to become an actor. I only got what I got automatically.
You remain so modest. There is that star attitude missing in you. How is that?
When it will come, I will not know it. When a person gains that attitude, he does not know he is showing it. It comes like that. He is judged by others. He keeps thinking he is doing right.
It is an everyday process. Sometimes you lose your head a couple of hours in the day. Then you realise 'No,that was my mistake.'
There is a recent influx of hit Punjabi music, particularly remixes. The remixes now become the identity. How do you react to that?
Here, there is a larger audience. The credit will always belong to the artist who created the song first, who sang it first, or wrote it. Sometimes when people tell me 'This song has now gone viral or become a hit'. I think 'I have heard this song much before. It was a hit even then.' Obviously, this is a larger audience on the Hindi platform, and it helps spread the song further.