Bossing around

Mona

Actor Annup Sonii has been a household name. A familiar face on the small screen over the last decade-and-half, he continues to host Crime Patrol. His fans can rejoice for they will get to see their favourite man in a new avatar in Ji Sirji. Bosses in any field continue to harass the subordinates and Annup is going to play a boss with an obsessive compulsive disorder along with being unreasonable, sadist, foolish, insecure and more in this comic series that takes the audience through different gags.

Ji Sirji...what made you say yes to this?

I believe it is important to make people laugh. I have been showing the ugly face of our society for long which I totally find important but when an offer came for me to cut across the genre and have some fun moments, I couldn’t say no.

Apparently you will be donning the role of the boss in different professions, how was the switch?

Oh, I loved it. I am playing a pilot in one, doctor in another, cop in yet another. What’s even more fun is how we hate our bosses and their eccentricities; and how coolly we do the very same with our juniors.

Coming to comedy, who have been your favourites?

I did a whole season of Comedy Circus in 2012, and I have loved Kapil since then.

I adore Akshay Kumar in some of the films; Shah Rukh Khan has some great comic timing. As an actor, I see and admire many artistes and learn different things from each one of them.

Who has been your best/worst boss over the years?

Look, I am not taking any names; I am still going to work in this industry for long. But I admit I have been with directors who create such ruckus every single day as if a disaster is impending. On the other hand, there are those who go smooth over work, enjoy their job and let you have fun with your role.

Share with us one trick to please an extremely difficult boss.

The only way to work with an unreasonable boss is to keep listening. One day the boss will get tired of tormenting you (he laughs).

How has TV changed ever since you joined the industry?

Small screen’s reach is immense. Now, you shoot a series in Mumbai and it’s global audience that you are reaching out to. Telly actors today enjoy as much fame, popularity and wages as film stars. The only downside, however, has been that in a rush to cater to the growing demand, quality has taken a hit especially in fiction series.

You changed the spelling of your name, has it worked?

Sometimes one has to listen to those close to you in life. I did as my loved ones wanted me to. Has it worked or not, I don’t know. Maybe it did, for I am doing two shows now. But one thing is sure I work as hard as I did before.

What do you watch on telly?

Lots and lots of news channels. And singing and dancing reality shows is my go-to genre.

What are your upcoming projects?

My hands are full with two shows. People often tell me I should do more movies. I would love to. Give me a role that impresses me. I will make time for it whatever be the medium.

See Annup play a terrible boss in Ji SirJi every Wednesday, Thursday at 10 pm on BIG Magic and Wednesday, Thursday at 9 pm on 92.7 BIG FM.

mona@tribunemail.com