Jimmy Shergill recalls falling off the chair when Gulzar offered him a role in Maachis: ‘Gulzar sahab knew me as Jasjeet Sheirgill’

Jimmy Sheirgill, who was convinced that one has to work as an AD for at least seven years before getting his first break, fell off his chair when Gulzar offered him a role in his film Maachis.

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The actor said, “I think its called hustle now. It was called struggle in our times. So the hustle is on. When I first met Gulzar sir, I thought he would hire me as his Assistant Director, but he had other plans. He asked me which part do you think is the best among these three roles? I said all three of them are great. He said, ‘But, if you will have to pick one, who will that be?’ It was like a dream to be seated before a legendary director and being able to choose one character. I said, ‘If given an option, I will choose Jaimal Singh.’ He asked, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘His name is Jimmy and so is my pet name. Until now, Gulzar sahab knew me as Jasjeet Shergill. He said, ‘Oh, okay, do me a favour, grow your beard and hair because you are doing that role.’ I almost fell off the chair. That is how it all started.”

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After Maachis, Jimmy Shergill starred in films like Mohabbatein, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Munna Bhai MBBS, Tanu Weds Manu, and My Name Is Khan, among others. Currently, the actor’s new film Sikandar Ka Muqadar is streaming on Netflix.