Ujda Chaman actor Sunny Singh on comparison with Bala: I am unaffected by it

Here are excerpts from the interview:

Why did you agree to play a bald man at a time when you are trying to establish yourself in the film industry?

As an actor who has done four-five films, I have to explore characters, and if the script that has come to me is good, I should definitely do it. I know people are liking my work and feel connected to me. Every movie that comes to me is an opportunity for me to show that I can play varied parts.

I was excited to play a bald guy in Ujda Chaman because I had seen the Kannada film Ondu Motteya Kathe. I loved it, and I felt inspired. It was the kind of movie that I wanted to do. I thought this film was offering me a very different role and an opportunity to perform.

We already have a lack of representation in the Hindi film industry. Why do you think filmmakers are still not open to casting an actual bald actor?

I think if a filmmaker knows that a person is a good actor, why will he go out to find someone else? The filmmaker would think ‘I have what I want’.

An actor is here to perform. For example, if a character is a Punjabi or a Bihari, and the actor is not, doesn’t mean we have to cast an actor from that region. If an actor can perform, they can portray anyone because an actor is here to try different roles.

Because Bala is releasing next week, and it is on the same subject as Ujda Chaman, people are going to compare your work with Ayushmann Khurrana’s. How do you feel about it?

I am aware of it, but I am unaffected by it. I am only concerned about what film I am doing, the makers, and our whole team. I am more concerned about my performance and work. There is so much to think about when your film is releasing that you don’t have the bandwidth to think about comparisons and other controversies.

With other actors, I have always been respectful. Ayushmann is an ace actor. I love everybody’s work. We are an industry of professional actors and filmmakers. Everybody is here to make films. I feel very good about it. I don’t have any negative or bad thinking.

Ujda Chaman movie review: Sunny Singh film tests your patience

You and Kartik Aryan worked together in two superhit films – Pyar Ka Punchnama 2 and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Today, if you compare his career-graph to yours, do you consider him competition?

No. I don’t think there can be competition in the family or otherwise. Everybody’s journey is different. Whatever success we have had, the credit goes to Luv (Ranjan) sir to an extent because he has taught us. And when I did Akaash Vani, Pyar Ka Punchnama 2 and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, I remember the process that we followed, and the hard work that we put in. We both have reached a certain place from there. The way we are going, our direction is very natural. I am liking how we are progressing. People love us and they feel connected to us. That is what is important. There is no competition whatsoever. What matters is what you think about yourself and the kind of work you do. I think working hard on an opportunity at hand is more important than thinking about comparisons and competition.