Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; June 10, 2014)

Actor Jimmy Sheirgill and director Kabir Sadanand, who are collaborating on the upcoming film Fugly, have been friends for a decade. The two had bonded while acting in Charas: A Joint Operation (2004) in Manali. And though Kabir forayed into direction and Jimmy also diversified into producing Punjabi films, their friendship has remained strong.

Whenever Kabir has an idea or a script, he'd ask his buddy for feedback. It was no different with Fugly. The film, produced by Akshay Kumar and Ashvini Yardi, is about four friends - played by debutants Mohit Marwah, Kiara Advani, Vijender Singh and Arfi Lamba - who land in a `fugly' situation when they cross paths with a cop, Chautala.

While Chautala's role was written with Jimmy in mind, Kabir didn't want to approach him like a friend. He says, “I wanted him to be convinced about it first." The actor was surprised when Kabir asked him to do the role. Says Jimmy , “I was worried if people will accept me in a negative role." Kabir also admits that he envies Jimmy . He says, “I was jealous of him as an actor; he underplayed his characters and did well." As for the actor, he's all praise for his friend too. “It's amazing how he connects scenes. That is his forte," adds Jimmy.

They also value each other's opinion. Kabir wasn't too pleased with a scene and told Jimmy that they might have to reshoot it. “But he told me to edit it first. When I saw the edited version, I realised he was right and decided against reshooting,“ he recalls.

Fugly, produced by Grazing Goat Pictures, releases June 13.