'It's my duty to do Punjabi films'

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">CHANDIGARH: It''s imperative to pull your chair closer, for Jimmy Shergill only speaks softly. But that isn''t much help... his silence speaks more than the actor chooses to say. He definitely comes from that school of thought where actions speak louder than words. A decade - long journey in Bollywood later, the shooting of his very first Punjabi film brings him to town.<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Times of Chandigarh</span> brings you some hardearned dope on the intense actor.<br /><br />"It''s my duty to do Punjabi film," Jimmy states, his being Punjabi-nall from <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">apne</span> <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Patiale</span> explaining the comment.<br /><br />"<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Yaaran</span> <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Nal</span> <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Baharan</span> is a youth film, it weaves friendship, romance, and family values together to come up with the complete family entertainer," he tells, only to rush off and ride a snazzy yellow bike for his shot. "I play a college guy, and bikes are vital at that age," he grins on his return. They were pretty high on his own list when he did his BA from GCM – 11. "This film is a nostalgia trip of sorts as well," comes the honest admission.<br /><br />Taking him down his professional memory lane, we discover that one of Jimmy''s most memorable moments was doing <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Maachis</span>. Proud of being a self-made actor, he is satisfied with the way his career has shaped up. "I have to be happy, all the films I''ve done have been my own decisions," he says.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">Despite doing just three or four films every year, these ten long years have seen him in some brilliant performances – <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Haasil</span>, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Charas</span>, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Agnipankh</span>, and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Mohabbetain</span> being his favourite. "These characters have actually explored my ability as an actor, as have the new directors who have put their faith in me.<br /><br />Older directors who produce big banner films typecast an actor very easily. And someone like me hardly ever gets a chance," he candidly reveals.<br /><br />Nevertheless, that''s hardly a deterrent for Jimmy. "I would love to work with Gulzarsaab again. Though, it is comedy that I want to do now for it is fun to watch for audiences," he avers. But this year will see him in several intense roles instead, Surjit Sarkar''s <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Yahan</span>, Basu Chatterjee''s <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Pratiksha</span>, Khalid Mohammad''s <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Silsilay</span>, and Farooq Masudi''s <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Reh</span> <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Guzar</span> to name a few, none of which are comedy. "But they''re great roles," he quips, rushing off for another short ride on the bike.</div> </div>