‘Taken a fancy for OTT platform’

Manpriya Singh

Once again, with all the debate around the survival of outsiders in Bollywood, we can’t help but size up Jimmy Sheirgill’s filmography. It was in 1996 that Maachis happened and in 2000, Mohabbatein. In between, there has been shuffling too many platforms, industries and mediums. In the eclectic collage of his body of work are half-a-dozen Punjabi films, music videos from the mid-nineties, and, lately, a couple of web series.

“Yes, you are right. I have taken a fancy for web series and OTT platform,” says the actor, whom we last spoke to, co-incidentally, regarding his other outing on OTT, Rangbaaz Phirse, and his love for the content that the medium has to offer. As for the upcoming Your Honor on SonyLIV, he says, “I play a judge and contrary to what the trailers may have led you to believe, it’s not a courtroom drama,” he says about the series, which has been adapted from the Israeli series Kvodo.

Changed scenario

Having a lot of friends and juniors who are in the judiciary, the body language was something he was well acquainted with. But talk of ever being on the wrong side of law, getting a ticket for speeding in college and he says no! Back to the journey in showbiz, how tough is survival in B-town? “All I can say is that when I came to Mumbai, there were three-four channels and just four to five producers, and there were no multiplexes. Look at it now; if you start flipping through all the channels, it’ll take you the entire day just to do that. There is so much work, so many people are coming to Mumbai each day.”

Discipline important

When the lockdown started, just as he went back to Mumbai after wrapping the web series, his first reaction was the one shared by millions at that point of time. “I thought it was a holiday. There was nothing to do. I’d sleep till whenever, wake up at whatever time and watch shows. But then suddenly it struck me that it meant lack of discipline too.” Post which, early mornings were reintroduced and so were other things. He adds, “Discipline needs to be worked upon. You can’t just say that tonight I’ll sleep at 9.30 or 10 pm. In fact, you might end up staying awake till 2 am.”

That straightway takes us to insomnia, depression and mental health issues plaguing society. He talks of a simple approach, something that might not be easy for all to follow. “I don’t get affected, it takes practice, patience and a certain mindset, but you got to rise above it all. One has to be positive, forgiving and at peace by holding no grudges.” Copy that?

manpriya@tribunemail.com