Diljit Dosanjh is gearing up for a new film after the last few didn’t work; says his fascination with Kylie Jenner, Gal Gadot is over but refuses to reveal new crush
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 23, 2019)

When one meets Diljit Dosanjh at a suburban five-star where he’s promoting Good Newwz, he’s a picture of humility. Quiz him on reports of a collaboration with filmmaker Karan Johar much before he signed this Raj Mehta directorial, which also features Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and Kiara Advani, and the Punjabi singer-actor concedes that every actor wants to work with KJo. “Karan called and narrated another idea to me, too. We spoke a couple of times, but then, he cast someone else. I wasn’t disappointed, whoever suits the role best.”

Talking of his comedy of errors, Diljit says he liked the screenplay and his role. “Plus, there are good actors like Akshay ji and Kareena ji, whose work I’ve admired,” he points out. By his own admission, he’s a Kareena fan and this is his second outing with her after his Hindi debut, Udta Punjab. Given that Akshay, Kareena and Kiara have worked with each other in the past and this is his first outing with them, did it take time to break the ice? “It’s a big thing when you’re working with someone you’re a fan of. I don’t believe in trying hard to forge a bond,” he states. “Akshay ji would speak in Punjabi, so it was easier to communicate with him.”

After Udta Punjab and Soorma, the biopic of India’s former hockey captain Sandeep Singh, did Diljit lose way with films like Welcome To New York and Arjun Patiala? “You have to try different things. In Punjab, we make the films we want to but I didn’t have much idea of Bollywood. Depending on what comes my way, I pick the best options,” he says, adding that he started as a singer, then, Punjabi films happened. “When I understood them, Hindi films came my way. I’m still trying to understand Bollywood.” So, what does he consider his base? “Since I travel wherever there is work, my base is hotels and flights,” he jokes.

Buzz is, he opted out of Ramesh Sippy’s production which was to mark Haroon Mirza’s (veteran filmmaker Aziz Mirza’s son) directorial debut after Arjun Patiala bombed. “That’s just a rumour. If a film is not good, then it won’t work. If a bad film works, then you should be disappointed because you don’t know what’s happening. Uss film ke saath kissa hua tha but there’s no problem with Ramesh ji. My first Punjabi hit, Jihne Mera Dil Luteya, was with his company, after which we did Ambarsariya. But this film is not happening,” he shrugs, saying after Good Newwz, he has signed a couple of Hindi films, but he’d rather the producers make the announcements.

Diljit has been a vocal fanboy of international stars like Kylie Jenner and Wonder Woman Gal Gadot on the social media. “That’s over now, change hote rehti hai,” he laughs. So, who is his latest ‘crush’? “Pehle bata ke pange liye hain, I don’t want to embarrass anyone now,” he demurs. Considering that he’s married, what does his wife have to say about his crushes? Refusing to discuss his personal life, Diljit says, “The problem is that when people are disappointed, they get personal and attack the family with maa-behen gaalis. I’m in public domain, you can say what you want about me, but I don’t want anyone talking about my family. If I choose a wrong film or sing a song wrong, it’s my fault. Why should my family be targeted?”

Actress returns with a full-fledged role in a film 12 years after Anil Sharma’s boxing drama with the Deols
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 19, 2019)

Mirror (May 29) had earlier reported that Diljit Dosanjh has signed a yet-untitled comedy with Yami Gautam as his leading lady. At the time producer Ramesh Taurani had informed that the film will also feature another actress who has a crucial role in the narrative. We have now learnt that the makers have roped in Shilpa Shetty for the part. The film marks the directorial debut of Aziz Mirza’s son Haroon who has assisted on Shah Rukh Khan-starrers, from Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Yes Boss to Paheli.

Shilpa’s last Hindi film outing in a full-fledged role was in Anil Sharma’s Apne in 2007, headlined by the Deols, Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby, in which she played Sunny’s wife. This was followed by special appearances in the Om Shanti Om title track, Dostana’s “Shut Up & Bounce” and “Tu Mere Type Ka Nahi Hai” for the 2014 crime thriller Dishkiyaoon, which she had also produced.

“Shilpa plays a writer in the film. After a monthlong holiday in London and Greece, she returns to Mumbai in the first week of August and will immediately start shooting for the film. She is really excited,” informs a source close the development.

Taurani had revealed that the film, revolving around a couple, is one of the last films penned by Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa’s screenplay writer Neeraj Vora who passed away in 2017 after he had slipped into coma in October 2016. He has co-written the script with Vibha Singh and Arshad Sayed.

The duo will pair up for the first time in a comedy being directed by Aziz Mirza’s son, Haroon; it was one of Neeraj Vora’s last script
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 29, 2019)

Diljit Dosanjh who made his Bollywood debut with Abhishek Chaubey’s 2016 crime drama Udta Punjab, has been making inroads into Hindi cinema and will be seen this year in Dinesh Vijan’s quirky cop comedy Arjun Patiala and Karan Johar’s Good News which touches on the subject of surrogacy. Now, Mirror has learnt that Punjab’s numero uno actor has signed up for a yet-untitled comedy which will be produced by Ramesh Taurani. Yami Gautam who is riding high on the success of Uri: The Surgical Strike and is currently filming Bala with Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar, will be his leading lady.

The film will mark the directorial debut of Aziz Mirza’s son Haroon. He had earlier assisted his father on Shah Rukh Khan-starrers, from Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Yes Boss to the Amol Palekar-directed Paheli.

Confirming the news Taurani says, “Yes, Diljit and Yami have given their nod to the film. It’s a fresh pairing and we are excited because both are competent actors with impeccable comic timing. It is a sensible comedy and revolves around a couple.”

The producer adds that the film also features another teenage twosome and they are scouting for new faces. “We also need another actress who has a crucial role to play in the narrative. The casting should be locked soon,” he says.

Interestingly, it’s one of the last films penned by Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa’s screenplay writer Neeraj Vora who passed away in 2017 after he had slipped into coma in October 2016. He has co-written the script with Vibha Singh and Arshad Sayed.

“It’s an interesting story, we will be meeting soon for readings before we roll in August,” Taurani concludes.