Guru Randhawa, who takes his first step into acting with Hindi film Kuch Khatta Ho Jaay, talks about his co-star Saiee Manjrekar and how music will always remain his first love
Gurnaaz Kaur
In a fusion of melody and cinematic flair, Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa and actress Saiee Manjrekar join forces in the much-anticipated Hindi film Kuch Khatta Ho Jaay. The dynamic duo shares insights into their collaboration, experiences on set, and the exciting journey of bringing this unique project to life.
For Guru Randhawa, making his acting debut with Kuch Khatta Ho Jaay marks a shift from his musical roots to the Hindi film industry. Choosing to begin his acting career with a Hindi film for this Punjabi singer is about showcasing his talent. He says, “No matter the language, people will identify me as the quintessential Punjabi munda, representing his culture and roots.”
Even Saiee Manjrekar, who is in the initial years of her acting career, says the choice between Hindi and other languages is not exclusive. “Hindi cinema holds a special place in my heart. However, my experience in South Indian cinema allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, explore different languages, and work with diverse talents.”
Positive vibes
Both Guru and Saiee believe the star-studded cast, featuring Anupam Kher, Paritosh Tripathi, Paresh Ganatra, Atul Srivastava and Ila Arun, adds to the excitement. And Guru says it makes for an ideal start to his acting journey.
Reflecting on his experience with Saiee, he commends her support and predicts the audience will love their on-screen chemistry. “She is great at acting and I’ve learnt so much from her. Every day we had fun on set. She even missed me when I was away for my shows during the shoot. We make for a beautiful reel couple and people would love us.”
Working with Guru Randhawa proved to be a joy for Saiee, too. “He is fun on set. I am a bit shy when I first meet people but with him, his openness and honesty were reasons I immediately felt connected.”
In the future
Guru views his foray into Hindi cinema as a natural extension of his identity, emphasising the interconnectedness of Hindi and Punjabi in the entertainment industry. His next is a Punjabi film titled Shahkot, which will also be released this year. The actor in Guru is ready to conquer the big screen, “We are all one big industry doing the same job of entertaining the masses. It’s just work. I am confident of my skills and I would also step into Hollywood one day,” he beams.
Looking ahead, Saiee is thrilled to be a part of Neeraj Panday’s upcoming film Auron Mein Kaha Dam Tha. “It has been a learning experience working with Neeraj.”
Story line
The film is a romantic story intertwined with a narrative of women empowerment, Saiee appreciates the subtle portrayal of the struggles faced by working women. “It’s a bunch of messages combined together, but my favourite one has to be about my character, Era. A working woman, how she balances work and personal life, something a lot of women are struggling to find.” It also resonates with Guru’s belief, “How a lover or boyfriend or husband supports the partner in giving their talent a chance is at the core of this film.”
Despite his developing acting career, Guru ensures music remains an integral part of his identity. “Music will never take a backseat for me. Thanks to these movies, I’ve added 18 new songs to my repertoire. I also have collaborations with Bobby Randhawa, hip-hop artiste Paradox and American rapper Raja Kumari in the pipeline,” he informs.
Saiee discusses her evolution as an actress and the guiding force her father Mahesh Manjrekar has been in the process. “Our dinner table conversations are often about work, how to get better at it. When he saw the teaser, he was ready with advice. Similarly, there’s constructive criticism, which I really appreciate. Whenever we have the time, he does workshops with me and my sister.”
