Sunny Singh: It feels good to see yourself featuring on the poster, solo!

He began his journey in the entertainment world with television shows. Sunny Singh was a part of one of India’s longest-running daily soaps, 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay' (2001-2008). He made his debut in Bollywood with Madhur Bhandarkar’s 'Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji' (2011). However, it was the 2015 release 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2' that set the ball rolling for him. This year, the actor reaches a landmark in his career as he gears up for the release of his solo lead project, 'Ujda Chaman', directed by Abhishek Pathak.In a chat with BT, Sunny talks about his struggles, the mentors who have shown him the way and opens up about the averted clash of his film with the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer, 'Bala'. Read on…
'Ujda Chaman' is your first film, which features you as the solo lead. How does it feel to carry the weight of a movie on your shoulders?
It feels really good, especially to see yourself featuring on the poster, solo (laughs!). I was waiting for such a project. I also wanted to do something different. I had faith and knew that one day, something like this will come along. When I was approached for this film, I got excited hearing the concept and details about my character.
Ayushmann Khurrana’s film 'Bala', based on a similar subject (premature balding), is releasing a week later. Amidst all that excitement, does this bother you?
When I saw the trailer of Bala, I couldn’t believe my eyes! I was like…what just happened? Later, when the feeling sank in, I was fine. Personally, I like Ayushmann and love his work. He is my senior and I am his fan. I had also met his wife Tahira and brother Apar (Aparshakti), they all are very sweet. They are like my family. I remember meeting Ayushmann at the screening of 'De De Pyaar De'. I had a guest appearance in the film. He came to me and appreciated my work in the film. About the clash, I have no pressure, as such. I know that I have given this film my 100 per cent, and I am hoping it will connect with the audience.
Tell us all that went in to get the bald look right on screen?
It was a long, tedious procedure. On the first day, I thought it would be a cakewalk. However, when I sat through the look test, I realised that I had to go through this every day on set. The prosthetics team would use glue and a silicon cap to get the look. It would take three hours for me to get ready. I would arrive on the sets at 4 am and get ready only by about 6.30. Removing it would take another half an hour. During the three-hour process, I would watch movies on my phone. Shooting in Delhi and Ghaziabad was the toughest as it was very hot, leading to sweat getting accumulated under the silicon cap. It would be extremely uncomfortable.
From being a part of a TV show to bagging a solo lead film project, what have been your biggest hurdles along the way?
I have come a long way and reached here, I am truly happy for that. Well, the thing is that I have been extremely focused. I wanted to be an actor ever since I was five years old. I would tell my father (Jai Singh Nijjar, action director) that I wanted to be a hero. I used to enact scenes from the film 'Ram Lakhan' (1989) at home. Seeing my enthusiasm, my father supported me, but also told me that it is going to be a very tough way ahead. He warned me that I would have to stand in long queues for auditions and he also said that he could approach people through his contacts, but eventually, I had to impress them with my talent. If didn’t, I had to ready to face failure. And I have faced it all. I would be very nervous during auditions. After waiting in long queues and then getting a chance to perform in front of casting agents, I would often get the response, ‘Aap mein yeh kami hai, woh kami hai.’ Finally, when I turned 18, a casting agent approached me and asked if I willing to do television shows. That is how 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay' happened. I just took it up to get the experience of facing the camera. After a couple of TV shows, I quit doing that and focused only on movies. One day, I met Luv Ranjan through a casting agent. That was the best day of my life. After my family, he is the only person who I trust and have faith in.
The film industry is accustomed to seeing star kids make their way in showbiz. Lately, sons of fine technicians are also making their mark here, like Vicky Kaushal (whose father Sham Kaushal is an action director). It is interesting and remarkable…
Yes, it is interesting. I am good friends with Vicky Kaushal. In fact, he is from my hometown and our homes are just a kilometre apart. Our families get together during occasions and we know each other very well. He is a very sweet and simple guy. He has been so focused all these years and has worked really hard to reach where he is today. I have seen him go through the process. In fact, on three-four occasions we have gone for narrations together.
As a kid, would you accompany your father on film sets?
My father would tell me stories from what would happen on the sets. I would ask him to take me along, as I wanted to see the stunts live. I remember being on the sets of 'Vijaypath' (1994), where Ajay Devgn was shooting a scene with a tiger. My father was training him, even Veeru Devgan (Ajay’s father, who was also an action director) was there. My father was lying down and the tiger was on his chest. They were demonstrating this to the actor and the duplicate. It was very scary to see my father doing that.
Which is that one actor you idolised while growing up?
I have been crazy about Akshay Kumar, probably because he gives me the Delhi vibes. While growing up, I would watch each and every movie of his. My father worked with him on 'Khiladi 786' (2012) and many other films.
Your upcoming film 'Pati Patni Aur Woh' reunites you with your 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2' and 'Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety' co-actor actor Kartik Aaryan. What’s your equation with him?
I am doing a guest appearance in the movie. It was Kartik who called me and informed me about the cameo. Later, I met director Mudassar Aziz and came on board. It’s fun working with the entire team. Kartik has been a good friend. We know each other since 2011 and ever since, we have always hit it off well.