Sargun Mehta is donning multiple hats — as an actor in Punjabi films, a producer and writer for TV shows and a lot more. However, the Qismat 2 actor tells us that it’s not enough. “Professionally, the greed never ends,” says Mehta, who made her debut as a producer in 2022 with Saunkan Saunkne.

The actor has her sights set on delivering at least one project that has worldwide reach and relevance. “Lines in the entertainment industry are blurring now. People sitting anywhere in the world can watch your content, all thanks to OTT,” she says, adding, “So, I am looking for that pat on the back from the world by creating a project that caters to the worldwide audience. That’s one thing I crave.”

All said and done, Mehta is content with the work she has put out in the past year, particularly Saunkan Saunkne. “There were doubts about whether I would be able to do it. But, when it did well, it opened a lot of doors for me,” she elaborates.

“I’m a very greedy person, but I also feel very satisfied when I look back. There have been a lot of things that I thought wouldn’t be possible. But I managed it,” adds Mehta.

The actor turned 35 yesterday. How did she celebrate her big day? The Cuttputlli (2022) actor answers, “I’m usually very excited about birthdays, but this year I was not! I think the pressure of work just took over. I was like, ‘Okay, just do whatever’, and Ravi (Dubey, actor and her husband) was puzzled to see me like that. I am that person who would literally count down days to my birthday.”

Actor Sargun Mehta is currently riding high on the success of her recent Punjabi film Saunkan Saunkne. The actor, who began working in Punjabi films since 2016, has been delivering back-to-back hits.

Recalling her first steps into the Punjabi film industry, Mehta says, “When I told people I was doing Punjabi films, they said, ‘If you do Punjabi films, then you won’t be able to make your mark in Hindi’. Back then, the Punjabi film industry wasn’t as big as it is today, as only 10 films were made in a year. But today, more than 70 films release every year. That shows the influx of money and the growth in the industry. The audience, too, has evolved and is sticking by us. In fact, as an artiste, I feel really happy to be part of the Punjabi film industry.”

Despite the popularity of Punjabi music across the globe, Punjabi films are not watched widely by the pan-India audience as opposed to south Indian films. But the Qismat 2 (2021) actor shares that things are now changing. “People are more accepting than before, but of course, they won’t open up to all regional films at the same time. I started watching more south films after Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) while my husband (actor Ravi Dubey) enjoys them more than me,” says, adding, “I feel no two industries can be the same. Punjabi films can’t give the flavour south films do and vice versa. In fact, people from Bihar often reach out to me for my Punjabi films. I think we have crossed barriers and will continue to increase our reach,” says the 33-year-old.

Having started her career with Hindi TV shows, Mehta went on to make a mark in Punjabi films. The actor is now excited about venturing into Hindi films. She will be seen in a film co-starring Akshay Kumar, directed by Ranjit M Tewari. Talking about it, she says, “Akki sir is a superstar, yet so kind. I was scared and worried about how I would do it. By the end of our shoot, we got along well. As for stepping into Hindi films, I have never thought about how big a medium is. I pick up projects where I have something new and exciting to do.”