Exclusive | 'If Rajshree Productions calls, you don’t choose the role,' Kanwaljit Singh
With a career that's been entertaining audiences for over 40 years, Kanwaljit Singh is a name synonymous with talent and versatility. From iconic films like 'Satte Pe Satta' and 'Jeevan Dhara' to hit TV shows 'Saans', 'Darar', and 'Family No. 1', Singh has done it all. Now, he's gearing up for a triple treat on February 7, including the web series 'Bada Naam Karenge'. In a candid chat with Mathrubhumi English, Singh opens up about his journey, the film industry, and what's next.
Excerpts:
Q. Tell us about your role in ‘Bada Naam Karenge,’ and what made you say yes to the project?
Kanwaljit: If Rajshree (Productions) calls, you don’t choose the role. They make an offer that you can’t refuse. I have always wanted to work with them, ever since I passed out from the institute (FTII - Film and Television Institute of India). There were two banners at that time - BR Chopra and the Rajshree. One was given to understand that if you could work with either of them or both, then you would achieve stardom in just one film. I had been trying to get through that forever. And this is the chance that I got.
The role is about a strict Tauji (father’s elder brother). My character is a patriarch. He is a respected man and is heard - the family listens to him and they stick to whatever his word is. I didn’t want to make it totally an early 60s strict Tauji. I love to jump into the grey shade, of course after having a discussion with the director and the producers, and add a little softness to the character so that there is some human touch to it. I needed to be soft at certain points, especially with my Bahu (daughter-in-law).
Q. How has it been working with Sooraj Barjatya?
Kanwaljit: I got a couple of chances to work with Rajshree earlier also. There was a Japanese co-production that Rajshree was doing. The value of the dollar shot up and the money went haywire, after which it was shelved. Poonam Dhillon was cast opposite me in it. Before that, I had got an offer from Rajshree when I was studying in FTII. I was not able to do it, because had I taken the film, I would not have been able to complete my course. And thus, I had to say no to it.
People at Rajshree are very cultured and loving. When I came out of the institute I was staying on rent at Shivaji Park in Dadar. Rajshree’s office is very close to it. I used to go there to have tea. I didn’t work with them back then, but now it’s a different thing. From the top bosses to the lower strata of the hierarchy, if you’ll speak to anyone at Rajshree, you will know how sweet and cultured they are. That is the first thing that I noticed about Rajshree Productions.
Q. Having worked with some of the best directors in the country, how different is it when a young filmmaker is directing you?
Kanwaljit: The old filmmakers are not around anymore. It is absolutely necessary to keep pace with what is happening now. You have to keep watching international cinema, going to film festivals, etc. We have been trained to watch great cinema right from the FTII days. Since then I have understood that I will have to keep changing with time. I have learned so much from the young directors and actors that I am really grateful that I’m still here and working, unlike the work-in-progress Mumbai roads.
Q. Both ‘Bada Naam Karenge’ and ‘Mrs’ are releasing on the same date. How does it feel?
Kanwaljit: Other than ‘Bada Naam Karenge’ and ‘Mrs.’, I also have Ronnie Screwwala’s ‘Panjab 95’ releasing on the same date - February 7, starring Diljit Dosanjh. It is releasing internationally, and not in India, because the case, on which the film is based, is sub-judice. I am playing a top cop in the film.
An actor is under pressure when (s)he is not receiving any work and there is nothing up for a release. But three titles releasing in one month, in fact on the same day, is a thing that actors look forward to.
Q. How different is your role in ‘Bada Naam Karenge’ from that of ‘Mrs.’?
Kanwaljit: They are contrasting roles. But see, when you are a patriarch, when you have grown up watching your parents and grandparents like that, it is in your DNA. You don’t think what you are doing is wrong. It is just a part of your personality, thinking you are doing the right thing according to what the custom has been and what you have learned from the others.
Q. It has been nearly three decades since ‘Family No. 1’. What according to you made the show such a big hit?
Kanwaljit: At that point in time, I was doing two series which were very popular - one being ‘Saans’, in which I was entangled between two women. It was quite tormenting for an actor because serials would go on for years and years. There was another popular serial called ‘Daraar’ in which I played the role of a paralytic man. Those days things used to keep on stretching. Back then people had an impression that this fellow was a serious actor who does tragic-type roles. I was very surprised when the ‘Family No. 1’ team approached me. I hadn’t done comedy by then. They said they were offering me because I hadn’t tried comedy and that people wouldn’t expect it from me. I agreed to do it and gradually I started enjoying the show.
Tanvi (Azmi) is a fine actress. I had known her much before we started working together. The kids also were very respectful. The show was very well-written. They let me do a lot of improvisations.
Q. Will ‘Family No. 1’ return on the screens with a Gen-Z approach, maybe?
Kanwaljit: The makers did try to bring back the show. I don’t know what exactly had happened but there was some sort of a conflict between the production team and the actors.
Q. Having worked in the industry for so many decades, is there anything you want to change?
Kanwaljit: The change has come. People are on time these days. I come from an Armed Forces background. I got through the National Defence Academy (NDA) and had plans to join the Indian Air Force but couldn’t get through because of my hearing problem. I had been trained as an armed forces officer. I could be on time but multiple actors would come at 6 PM for a 9’o clock shoot. That was very disturbing. They would shoot a scene and leave while we were punctual and waited. But nowadays, these young actors are very punctual and disciplined, and I enjoy working with them. They are ready with their lines. I am very comfortable working with them.
Q. You wanted to join the IAF. How did FTII happen to you?
Kanwaljit: FTII was a fluke; I didn’t know what acting was all about. I was in a boarding school where most of my classmates went to the armed forces. So I also wanted to join. I got through the examinations and everything but when I was sent for the medical check-up, I could hear less from the right ear. To become a pilot, you have to have a height and your ears and eyes must be 100% correct, so that didn’t happen.
Since I came from a small town, I wanted to get out and stand on my own two feet. That’s when I went to a friend in Saharanpur. While he was outside, I happened to come across a film magazine at his home. Upon reading it, I found out the form of FTII. I asked him if I could take the magazine home. Next, I filled up the form and sent it to FTII with my three photographs.
At FTII, I used to copy Dev Anand’s style. I met somebody very renowned from the theater who told me that I needed to do my own thing and show my personality instead of copying Dev Anand. Had I continued acting like him, I wouldn’t have been where I am today.
Q. You’ve played the role of a father to many actors including Hrithik Roshan, Sidharth Malhotra, Huma Qureshi, and Vaani Kapoor, among many others. Who has been your favourite on-screen child, and why?
Kanwaljit: I enjoyed working with them all. I have played a father to Imran Khan, Arjun Kapoor, and many others. Like I said earlier, these young actors are very disciplined and respectful. But I enjoy playing a father to a daughter. We are three brothers - my mother always wanted to dress us up like girls. She wanted a girl. I have two boys and I also wanted a girl. I’m fond of daughters, and thus, I like playing a daughter’s father.