Manjot Singh made his acting debut at the age of 16 in Dibakar Banerjee’s Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! back in 2008. Best known for playing Lali Halwai in the Fukrey films, Manjot is happy to have finally gotten the opportunity to showcase his mature and vulnerable side in Wild Wild Punjab, streaming on Netflix. Manjot opened up about playing Honey Paaji in the film produced by Luv Ranjan, how Fukrey helped his career and the representation of Sikhs in Hindi cinema.

How did you get the role of Honey Paaji in Wild Wild Punjab?

Manjot Singh: I met Luv Ranjan (writer-producer) sir at a party. He told me he would start this film soon and wanted me to do it. When I heard the narration, I was excited. I had worked with director Simarpreet Singh before and when he came on board for Wild Wild Punjab, I discussed the character and the look. Honey Paaji comes from a well-to-do family that owns a truck business. It was an authoritative character. I needed to walk and talk like that. I needed to have my moustache and turban in a certain way. It was challenging but I believed I could do it.

At the same time, I was concerned about the audience accepting me in this role because they’ve mostly seen me playing naive, bubbly, boyish characters. I am happy that I have managed to break that image and that people accepted me in this role. Every actor is hungry for good reviews of his performance. After the screening, some directors appreciated that I had shown my range as an actor.

What was the best response you got?

Manjot Singh: The best thing was when my parents called me after watching the film. They usually don’t call to give feedback. But this time, my mom called me right after watching the film and she was emotional. For the first time, I heard my mom say, ‘You’ve done your best work and I wish you keep doing roles like this.’ She liked my vulnerable and emotional side and the way my character stands by Radha (played by Patralekhaa). When my mother blessed me, I felt that I’d really done good work.

There are some hilarious sequences in Wild Wild Punjab. Which was the most memorable to shoot?

Manjot Singh: There’s a scene where in a moment of anger I slap a policeman (played by Rajesh Sharma). I liked the way my anger was justified. It is also true that I got slapped back by the cop at the police station. So, Rajesh Sharma was mocking a slap but I told him to slap me for real to make my reaction more genuine. He slapped me quite a few times after that [chuckles].

I also like the moment later in that sequence when I request Rajesh Sharma to let go of the others (Sunny Singh, Varun Sharma, Jassie Gill, Patralekhaa, Ishita Raaj) and I even offer them to take my beloved SUV named Paro.

I loved the chase sequence where I call Radha’s father and complain about the faulty gun he gave me. So, he gets the supplier on a conference call to resolve the issue and the supplier turns out to be the hooligan who was chasing our car in the first place. We knew that it was hilarious while dubbing. It is the highlight of the film.

Which are your favourite road trip or gang of boys films?

Manjot Singh: The Hangover is my favourite. Wild Wild Punjab has a little bit of that flavour. I like Entourage, the series. Of course, Fukrey. I was quite surprised when I watched Manjummel Boys… dil khush ho gaya mera. The thing about working in such films is that you are making a film with friends for people to watch it with their friends.

Do you have a wild story of a road trip with friends?

Manjot Singh: No. I play comic characters on screen but I’m a serious guy in real life. I am calm and composed. My comic timing is good but I don’t think comedy is my forte. You can learn acting but timing is in-built. That’s why my punches land. But I love drama and romance. It’s not that I don’t want to do comedies, but I know that I can pull off drama and romance.

There was a glimpse of that in your role in an episode of Made In Heaven Season 1. What limits you from getting more roles like these?

Manjot Singh: It is because of typecasting. Here in Bollywood, nobody seems to have the time to visualise an actor in a different character than what he has played before. I am fortunate that Luv Ranjan and Simarpreet Singh could see me in a different role. Not only are actors getting typecast but directors too. If a director makes a comedy, producers request them to direct another comedy.

In Hollywood, Todd Phillips who directed The Hangover (2009) has also directed Joker (2019). Such a paradigm shift. People think of me only in the space of Oye Lucky, Fukrey and Dream Girl 2. I come from a non-film background without a godfather, so I have to make my own decisions. I have said no to many projects but I have to run my house too. I am a Sikh and I have to be very mindful of my choice of roles. Maybe that’s why it took me 15 years to land a role like Honey Paaji. After watching the film, some directors told me to explore negative roles too. I have started getting respect as an actor, which I didn’t get earlier.

What kind of work do you want to do despite these limitations?

Manjot Singh: In Hindi films, Sikh characters have often been shown as comic relief with ‘Balle Balle’ background music. My mother never liked it. When I was going to do Oye Lucky, my mother told me, ‘Never play a role where you or our religion or our community is made fun of.’ I have always kept that in mind. If you see the comedies I did, the situations were funny. It would have been funny irrespective of the religion of a character.

In fact, at Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda’s wedding, Luv sir told me, ‘I have seen Wild Wild Punjab. You’re the best in the film.’ He said it in front of everyone and added, ‘The time has come to see sardars in lead roles.’ The perception is changing gradually.

What do you remember about the first-day shoot of your debut film Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!?

Manjot Singh: I was 16 and my exams were on while I was shooting for Oye Lucky. They had put up a placard on the door of my vanity van: ‘Manjot is studying, please do not disturb.’ But I had zero interest in my studies. There was a knock on the door, ‘We’re ready for you.’ It was the first time that I wore a costume, saw a film shoot, and walked with bouncers around me. Although I didn’t need bouncers, they were there to control the crowd as we were shooting at a real location. ‘Manjot is arriving on the set’ was announced on Walkie-Talkie. It was all new for me. I met director Dibakar Banerjee and touched his feet. The writer, Manu Rishi Chadha, explained the scene to me.

I was very nervous as it was the first take of my life. I had to run up to the roof of the house and shout, ‘Main kangalon ke ghar paida hua hoon.’ People from the vicinity were looking at me as the scene was being shot. You won’t believe it but my first-ever take was okayed at the first attempt itself. My nervousness vanished the moment I heard, ‘Action!’ Everyone on the set clapped after the take and I felt, ‘I can do it’.

How has the Fukrey franchise helped you in your career?

Manjot Singh: I did Oye Lucky and Udaan (2010) before Fukrey (2013). But my mom used to say, ‘Tu poster pe kab dikhega?’ I was shooting for Student of the Year (2012) when I got a call for Fukrey. After the narration, I asked the director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, ‘Will I be seen on the film’s poster?’ He chuckled and said, ‘All four boys are leads and everyone will be on the film’s poster.’ I was extremely happy when I signed the film and called my mom to tell her.

Fukrey is a big film in my career. It has given me an identity. People didn’t expect the film to become a sleeper hit. It made me a better-known actor. Fukrey has given me a lot and I am grateful for that. I’d like to be a part of Fukrey 4 if it is made. It’s very close to my heart.