Main actor banna chahta hoon

There was a time when audiences were privileged to have the versatile Kishore Kumar. He was a singer, actor, director, lyricist, producer, scriptwriter and screenwriter. Whatever Kishoreda did, he did with élan.

And then, Sonu Niigaam who started his career as a singer dabbled in acting for a short while. His brief and unsuccessful stint lasted for all of three box-office duds - Love in Nepal, Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani and Kash Aap Hamare Hote.

Thankfully, better sense prevailed and Sonu went back to what he does best- singing. 

Then came Himesh Reshammiya who first started his career in the film industry as a music director and singer. Himesh too couldn't resist the acting bug. He decided to get a make-over by losing oodles of weight and getting a hair transplant. But it's too soon to predict his future as an actor as he is only two films old- Aap Kaa Surroor and the recent flop, Karzzzz.

However, it's not a completely hopeless situation. Many producers are still keen to let singers and music directors try their luck as actors.

Take the case of Bappi Lahiri. Bappida is (believe it or not!) the lead actor in a forthcoming film, It's Rocking- Dard-E-Disco. When contacted, Bappida said, "Yes, I am playing the main lead in the film. It is produced by Keshu Ramsay. I am also singing and composing the film's music. It will release in February '09.

I am also acting in Main Aur Mrs Khanna with Salman (Khan) and Kareena. I play an NRI in the film with my trademark gold chains. My character loves singing and is like a father figure to Kareena."

Salman, who is known to nurture new talent, has taken music director Sajid of Sajid-Wajid duo as an actor in his forthcoming film, Wanted. It was Salman who asked Sajid to act in his film.

Incidentally, Sajid-Wajid have also composed the music of Wanted. Sajid said, "Salman came to my recording studio and asked if I would like to play one of his friends in Wanted.

Initially, I thought it was a joke, but Salman was serious. I play a funny man in the film. I am very happy to work with Boney Kapoor, the producer of Wanted. I agreed to act in the film only for Salman bhai but he insisted on paying me for my music as well as for my acting.”

Music director Anand Raj Anand has also been approached to play a role in an untitled project of debutant director Virag Mishra. In the film Anand Raj will play a simple man who eventually becomes a soldier because it is his father’s wish. However, his character is a singer at heart.

Anand said, “In fact, director Vivek Agnihotri has also asked me to keep my dates free in July ‘09. Filmmakers like Sanjay Gupta, Guddu Dhanoa and others have also offered me roles after they saw me in a reality show recently.

I believe it’s all about branding today. If you are a public figure, filmmakers will approach you again and again. People like me who are singers, music directors as well as actors are being paid as much as  Rs 1 crore.”

And it certainly is all about being a brand these days. Indian Idol’s first winner Abhijeet Sawant is also making his debut as an actor in Lottery. He plays an accountant who gets trapped in a situation by his best friend. Abhijeet shared an interesting incident with us.


“I was shooting with Sanjay Narvekar (Dedh Futya of Vaastav). He is very short but he had to slap me in a particular scene. He slapped me so hard that I could not shoot for next three hours. This is still the beginning and I am earning Rs 35 lakh as an actor. But I still have to decide how much to charge for my next film."

We also heard that Sukhwinder Singh has been approached to play a lead role in a film. To know more we contacted Sukhwinder but he was unavailable for comment.

And what is the reason behind this sudden trend of singers playing pivotal roles in films? "I think Himesh Reshammiya opened the door for all singers. He broke the myth that a singer cannot act," said Abhijeet.


•  I agreed to act in the film only for Salman bhai but he insisted on paying me for my music as well as for my acting – Sajid