Sunny Singh may have been seen in the company of Kartik Aaryan in his initial big screen projects from Akash Vaani and Pyar ka Punchnama 2 to Sonu ke Titu ki Sweety but he is also creating his own space with solo hero projects. He speaks to t2 on his social drama with a comic bent Luv ki Arrange Marriage, streaming currently on Zee5.
The cast of Luv ki Arrange Marriage is full of powerful actors, with brilliant track records, especially in comedy, like Rajpal Yadav, Annu Kapoor, Supriya Pathak and Mushtaq Khan.
Yes, I was very excited when I heard such senior actors were in the film. It is a dream come true for a young hero who has grown up watching their work.
Which works of theirs come to mind?
Supriya ma’m in (Sanjay Leela) Bhansali sir’s film (Ram Leela), Annuji in Vicky Donor, Rajpal sir in Bhagam Bhag, Mushtaq sir in Welcome... We watch such films on repeat as we get to learn so much from them. They come up with improvisations on the sets.
How was your experience of working with them?
When we started working together. Annuji was like a buddy to me, like a 20-year-old. Rajpal sir gave me so much love. Supriyaji was like my mother. It was like a family working together rather than isolated actors. The scenes became so much better. Off camera, we used to eat together on the sets. Annuji talked about so many things, he is so knowledgeable.
Was the film always planned as an OTT release?
That I do not know. People will love it wherever it comes. A person working 9 to 5 will go home and watch it. It is the same thing for me as long as I get respect as an actor and they like the film.
There are quite a few songs in the film which are shot in a grand way.
Two have been released (at the time of the interview). There are two-three more — a romantic song, a dance number and a wedding song.
Avneet Kaur, who is cast opposite you, has come up through multiple dance reality shows. Did you feel it would be a challenge to match up to her in the dance sequences?
I saw her for the first time at the shoot. She was dancing the first day and I was dancing too. I could make out she is a good dancer. I know she has done so much dancing in DID (Dance India Dance) and all. As a kid, I have been part of dance competitions in Bombay. I like dancing a lot and I have been dancing for many years. When you dance with a good dancer, it’s more easy and it looks good on screen.
Would the dance songs have got better response on the big screen?
Aisa toh kuch nahin hai. So many films come on OTT. So many others have danced and done romantic songs. People would still watch (the songs) on YouTube.
Talk about your character.
Luv is very streetsmart. He is a jugadu. He is from a middle class family. He has a romantic track going on. He is in love with a girl. He has a good bond with his father. Normally it is the father taking care of the son’s relationship. Here it is the other way round, which is very quirky. It is about a north Indian family. There is a love triangle. There are too many roller coaster rides in the relationship. You will need to see the film to know if it is an arranged marriage or love marriage.
The film deals with a situation where parents fall in love. Has that been handled sensitively or is that a butt of jokes?
It is a fun film for the family to watch. It talks about a single parents’ journey. Single parents also need love. Love can happen at any age. Single parents watching it are going to love it and identify with it. It is a cute film. The director and the writer have told the story in such a way that the father’s side is also quite interesting.
Has society evolved enough for our films to recognise the emotional needs of single parents?
In a father-son or mother-daughter relationship even if it is a single parent, today you talk as friends. It becomes that much easier. If the son loves a girl, he tells his parents and they support him, love marriage becomes arranged marriage. If a single parent likes someone, that is also not wrong.
Be it your name in this film or your career, you seem to have a special affinity with Luv.
Luv (Ranjan) sir is like my family. He is my mentor. I have learnt acting from him. Even if he is busy, he gives me time. We bonded long back, before Pyar ka Punchnama 2. We had a look test and we became close. We are like college buddies. The whole group, even the DoP and all, has been together for 11-12 years (through Sonu ke Titu ki Sweety).
You started out on TV with Kasauti Zindagi Ki. At what point did you decide to shift to films?
I did not plan it that way. I wanted to become an actor since I was a child. I loved the process and learnt so much while doing Kasauti... I took a break after Kasauti... Then my friend and I decided to do theatre. We would audition for ads, films, shows... Accidentally I met Luv sir. He was looking for faces for a film called Akaash Vani that was before Pyar ka Punchnama 2. Kaise nikal gaye itne saal, I did not realise. Akaash Vani was in 2013.
What else have you signed?
There is a film called Risky Romeo. The announcement has been made. The teaser is out for another one, Wild Wild Punjab, that Luv sir has produced. There are more that will be announced. It will be a fruitful year.