Sunny Singh reveals his dream project: ‘I want to tell the story of cinema stuntmen’

In an exclusive interview with indianexpress.com, Sunny opens up about the unique challenges of portraying a gay character, his approach to preparing for roles, his dream project, his thoughts on the Adipurush controversy, what fans can expect from his upcoming projects, and more.

Q. It’s been a few days since the release of your movie, how has the response been?

Sunny Singh: These days, one gets feedback mostly through direct messages on Instagram, and it’s been overwhelmingly positive. When the song first came out, people loved it, and they enjoyed the trailer too. After the release, many reached out, thanking me for taking on a gay love story in a non-comedic, heartfelt way. Critics have given mixed reviews, but that’s typical. What matters is that the audiences love it, and they’ve made it one of the most-watched films on Jio this month.

Q. Have you received any particular feedback from industry peeps?

Sunny Singh: Yes, Subhash K Jha praised the film, and friends told me Aditya Seal and I did a great job. Such appreciation feels very fulfilling.

Q. What was your first reaction when you were offered a gay love story?

Sunny Singh: I was excited. Every actor wants character-driven roles, and this was one of them. I’ve done romantic comedies, action films like Adipurush, and other comedies, but this was a fresh, challenging role. The script by Rupinder Inderjit, who has done great work in Punjabi cinema, was excellent. With director Hardik Gajjar’s clear vision, I knew it would be good, so I was thrilled to take on the challenge.

 

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Q. How do you tackle unique roles? How do you prepare for them?

Sunny Singh: I tend to rely on spontaneity rather than studying extensively. If it’s a thriller or complex character, I might need more preparation. For a relatable, sweet story like this, understanding the script and my character suffices. I work closely with the director, doing multiple reads to find the right tone. Being present in the moment and reacting naturally to my co-stars is key.

Q. Did this spontaneous approach work for Ujda Chaman as well?

Sunny Singh: Absolutely. The prosthetics helped me get into character, and it also helped that the director of Ujda Chaman, Abhishek Pathak, is a family friend. He guided me on how to keep the performance subtle without crossing the line into overacting. I’ve always aimed to keep my performances as natural as possible, as if I’m not acting at all.

Q. Amar Prem is your third release this year, but all of them on OTT platforms with minimal promotions. Do you feel that’s affected your visibility?

Sunny Singh: Not really. For me, the most important thing is to make films. Digital releases are the makers’ decision, and I’m only always grateful for the opportunities. Balancing work with family life has become a priority, so the platform matters less.

 

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Q. The trailer for Amar Prem released only a week before the movie. Do you think that affected viewership?

Sunny Singh: Probably. Usually, there’s a teaser, then a trailer, and finally the film about 20–25 days later. This time, I felt they were on a deadline, and while I think things were a bit rushed, that’s ultimately up to the production team.

Q. After starring in nearly 10 films, do you feel the industry recognises your talent, or are you still striving for author-backed roles?

Sunny Singh: Nahi nahi (No, no) I think the industry recognises my work. Whenever I meet directors or industry people, they appreciate both my work and who I am as a person. I’ve been fortunate with films like Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Ujda Chaman, and Wild Wild Punjab, all of which were well-received. I’m always open to trying new things––like action roles––while also sticking to what I enjoy. The best compliment I get is when people feel I’m relatable. Unko yeh lagta yeh toh apne ghar ka hi hai. Toh jab yeh pata lag jaata hai ki inko yeh feeling aa gayi (They feel like ‘he’s from our family’. When you realise they feel so,) that means you are doing good.

Q. There’s been talk of your film Yaar Jigri with Vikrant Massey. Any update on that?

Sunny Singh: Yes! I remember shooting for it in Nainital five years ago, and Vikrant and I often wondered when it would release. Director Amit did a great film recently, Teri Baaton Mein, so I’m hopeful Yaar Jigri will be out soon. I think Ronnie (Screwvala) Sir would know best.

 

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Q. Your father is a stunt director. Are there any action roles on the horizon for you?

Sunny Singh: Definitely. I’m looking at some scripts, including one involving boxing. My dream project is a film based on a stuntman’s life. I’ve seen it up close since childhood––stuntmen breaking bones, coming home and then heading back to shoot, working 12-hour days, sometimes three shifts in a row––and I feel like I want to tell their story. If given the chance with the right writers, I’d love to make this a reality.

Q. Adipurush had a lot of action sequences. Can you talk about your experience working on that?

Sunny Singh: Adipurush had intense wirework and sword fights. Once, I injured my leg, there was blood everywhere, and had to inform Om Raut Sir. I called him and said, “Sir, mai toh gaya (Sir, I am done for),” and he responded saying, “10 din mein toh tera action hai (Your actions scenes are in 10 days.)”

My leg was in bad shape, but I didn’t want to give up. I went to the set, watched everyone rehearse, and took all the necessary medicines—turmeric powder, vitamin D, everything—to recover quickly. When the time came to shoot the action, I was still not fully healed, but I did it anyway. People don’t realise what happens behind the scenes of the films they watch. It was a very tough time for me.

Q. Despite everyone’s hard work on Adipurush, the film received mixed reviews. How did that impact the team?

Sunny Singh: Honestly, I think everyone liked the trailer initially, and on the first day, it made around 140 crores. But once people watched the film, they didn’t like certain dialogues or other elements. So they said, you know, ‘it’s not right.’ But that’s the writer’s job, and it’s up to the director, writers, and production to manage those things. As actors, we always support the makers during that time. When we’re shooting, we give it our all; we have to surrender ourselves to the work and give our best so people will love what we do. And that’s exactly what I did. I never got any trolling for the film, but I saw the conversations happening among the writers and others. I thought, ‘yeh mera kaam nahi hai’ (this isn’t my job), it’s theirs.

 

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Q. What’s next for you, and what can fans look forward to?

Sunny Singh: I’ve got some great films coming up. There’s Risky Romeo with Kriti Kharbanda, directed by Abhi Sen Gupta. It should be out in two months. It’s a film I’m very excited about. Then there’s The Virgin Tree, a horror-comedy with Mouni Roy and Sanjay Dutt Sir, directed by Siddhant Sachdev.