The dashing and talented Akshay Oberoi is all set to be seen in the upcoming biggie, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. The trailer and the songs feature him but doesn’t give out idea about his role and character. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the actor opened up about it this aspect and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Akshay Oberoi opens up on his character in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari; reveals, “Budget of ‘Panwadi’ equalled some of my earlier films…we had to shower EIGHT times to wash the Holi colour off”
How did you bag the film?
Every actor is just trying. No one knows exactly how to make it in this business. I like to message directors. I have been doing this from the start of my career. I tell them, ‘Mujhe acting aati hai. Mujhe mauka do’ (laughs). After Fighter (2024), I had made a wish list of directors I wanted to work with and wanted to meet. Shashank Khaitan was on my list. He was very sweet. We met and had a long chat. We really liked each other’s company.
Some other actor was playing this part. I met Shashank at the screening of Heeramandi where he told me how the original actor is no longer doing the film. He asked if I would sign the film. I have a rule. If I like a particular director, I would do any kind of role in their film, whether its lengthy, cameo or even a passing shot! He asked me, ‘Tu aa ke script padhega?’. I told him, ‘I’ll give you the answer right away. I’ll do the film. Lekin formality ke liye main script aa ke padh loonga’!
I am glad I am getting an opportunity now to work with big directors. It was difficult at the start of my career. Earlier, I was only working with new directors or first-time filmmakers. I always wanted to engage with those directors who make films for a certain audience and whose work I am familiar with.
What can we expect from your character in this film?
I have a very strange way of defining this character. He’s like the viewer, akin to the audience watching the film. He’s not like a sutradhar. But what the audience is experiencing while watching the film is a reflection of it. You’ll understand more when you see the film. He’s putting this wedding together and he’s wondering, ‘Chal kya raha hai?’!
You said in an interview earlier this year that you are a part of 4 songs in the film, a first for you. How was the experience?
Yes, I rarely got a chance to do song-and-dance. I got it in my first film (Isi Life Mein; 2010). Then in Fighter, I got a chance in ‘Sher Khul Gaye’. In our country, actors get famous because of songs. For years, I have been trying to raise the bar in my career. Part of the reason why it has been very slow is that I am not the face of any song. I did get that dance eventually, but I would love to have the full song to myself. That’s the real desire. And why not? After all, main itne saal se mehnat kar raha hoon.
At the trailer launch, Janhvi Kapoor said, “Before every shot, Varun would come to each of us and say, ‘Pata hai kitna daala hai iss gaane mein? Pata hai kitni mehengi set hai? Now, kill it’!”. Did he tell you as well?
Yes, in the sense that he wasn’t individually telling it. He told us collectively. And it’s true. When I walked on to that set, I thought to myself, ‘The budget of the song is equivalent to the entire budget of some of my past films’! The set must have cost a few crores and we used to joke about it all the time.
How was it working with Dharma Productions for the first time?
Their films are all about family, pyaar and mohabbat. The atmosphere on the set was also on the same lines. The film was made with a lot of love and we all got along well with each other. Credit for it also goes to Shashank Khaitan. He’s a lovable person and nice to everybody. He’s always smiling and easy to work with. So, the combo of Dharma and Shahasnk is very deadly.
Whenever the shoot of a Holi song gets over, the actors throw colour and water on the director as well. Did that happen after the completion of the shoot of ‘Panwadi’?
Yes. You’ll get to see it in the BTS video. We all attacked him! It was a four-day shoot. The colour was such that we had to shower eight times to wash that colour off! So, by the end, we completely destroyed him (laughs). He was a sport. He was like ‘Aao, daalo colour’.
I guess he knew that it was inevitable…
True. Also, we shot the song in extreme heat. So, by the end of the shoot on the fourth day, we were tired and hence, we attacked all the crew members.
What will you do on October 2, the day Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari releases? Will you visit cinema halls to check the audience reaction?
I’ll do it extensively. I’ll go to as many cinemas as possible and check the audience reaction. By the end of October 2, once I realize where the film is going and how people are reacting to it, I’ll run out of Mumbai on October 3!
I am at a stage in my career where you can’t make me or break me. If the reactions are great, it won’t send me flying. But God forbid if reactions are bad, it won’t break my spirit. I believe it’s very healthy to detach yourself from the work. It is very unhealthy to be upset over your film. After all, the film is out for public consumption. So, it’s better to get away from the city and think about what you want to do next.
More Pages: Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Box Office Collection
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