Was I ever ugly, says Sukhwinder

That’s how Sukhwinder Singh reacts to those who address him as ‘hero’. In town to promote his debut film, the singer-turned-actor tells TOI that he wouldn’t mind singing for 30 seconds in a Rituparno Ghosh venture
You keep coming to the city for concerts. How does it feel to come down for a promotion of a different sort?
I’m the same person and people’s love for me too is just the same.This city has a great artistic domain and whether it’s a film or a concert, the audience here laps it up the same way.
Though there’s hardly any competition for you in music, you’ll be starting from scratch in the film business...
I don’t sing keeping competition in mind. That I need to sing well, doesn’t cross my mind ever. When people see a film, they say, ‘dekho kaisa acting kar raha hai’. But my formula is different. I want to be myself. Maine kabhi zyada make-up nahin liya, taaki main natural dikhoon. Dil khol ke hasne ke liye dilkhush insaan hona zaroori hai. In fact, it’s because of the way I sung a number from the film that director Jagbir Dahiya thought I was best-suited for the role.
Haven’t you urged your friends from the industry to catch you in a different avatar?
Everybody loves me in the industry and they’ve all been sending me their blessings. But I’m not going to impose what I want on them.
Not many musicians, who ventured into acting, have fared well...
I don’t live with a target. And if I don’t have a target, I can’t be a loser either. The unit approached me and after initial dithering, I gave my nod. That’s where the buck stops. Waise mera face dekh ke lagta nahin ki main hero banne ke liye greedy hoon. Bahut doston ne mera rushes dekh ke bola hai, ‘arre tu toh bilkul hero lag raha hai’. Maine un sab se yehi poochha: Pehle kya main ugly tha? In fact, agar kisiko film achha lagey aur main nahin, I’ll be happy. Because the film is the hero, not me.
Is it raining offers?
I’ve already started shooting for my next. In fact, we’ve completed the first leg having shot for 12 days. It will release in November. But I’m not in a position to give away more details.
Are you going to pursue acting seriously?
Not seriously, but sincerely. As usual, I’m very busy with very less work.
An actor or a singer — which is your priority?
Both aren’t enemies. They love each other!
But if you are to take up acting ‘sincerely’, you ought to allow other singers to sing for you. Whose voice do you think would suit you best?
Who else’s but mine? This is something people will not accept. However, there is a contest running, the winners of which are going to sing with me in my next, since I’m also the music director of the film. I’m
definitely going to keep my promise.
You’ve recently sung for a Bengali film. Wouldn’t you want to act in any?
I’m a big fan of Rituparno Ghosh and though I know there isn’t much scope for songs in his films, I’m ready to sing for 30 seconds if he allows me to do the same in any of his ventures. Be it alaap or shlokas — I’m ready to do anything and everything.
And what about acting in any of his ventures?
If he watches my film, I’m sure he might consider me.
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