Akshay Kumar Is Too Old To Play Me, Diljit Is Perfect; Says Sandeep Singh

Actor Diljit Dosanjh is being praised for his look as Indian hockey player Sandeep Singh in Soorma. More than anyting else the realistic feeling that he imbues in his character is really being appreciated a lot. The film has been directed by Shaad Ali and is a biopic on the life of the hockey player.

During a media interaction, Singh said that he always wanted a real sardar to play his character on-screen. “After we were done with the scripting, I felt that the person playing my role should be a real sardar. That feeling should come from inside. We know Farhan Akhtar did Milkha Singh’s movie and he even looked like him. But Sandeep Singh’s identity is different. You people might not know but my identity in the hockey field is different. Hence, I wanted a real sardar,” Singh said.

Here Dosanjh cleverly broke the train of his statement. “Sorry [to interrupt]. Farhan did very well [as Milkha Singh],” he said luch to everyone’s laughter.

Singh explained himself saying, “I am not demeaning him [Akhtar]. Milkha Singh is a legend. So, it wasn’t easy to perform his role. But the person playing my character should look real. It shouldn’t look like a joke. The movie is a biopic. It’s not a comedy movie. The kind of pain I have gone through should be shown on the screen.”

Singh hasn’t seen the film yet, but is sure about Dosanjh’s performance. “Without watching the movie I am satisfied by paaji’s [Dosanjh’s] role. You must have seen how that one scream in the trailer gave goosebumps. So, you can imagine how people would cry in the whole film,” he said.

The hockey player also revealed that much before Soorma, a Punjabi filmmaker had approached him for permissions to make a biopic. “I had an offer in around 2011 or 2012 in a Punjabi film. But I refused it because I wanted it to be made on a wider scale in a Hindi film. A Hindi film will reach in every house. Today’s youngsters give up very easily. So, I want people to get inspired and not get bogged down by small hiccups in life. Punjabi [language film] will be limited to Punjab. Not that I am against Punjabi in any way. I am from Punjab. I love Punjabi movies,” Singh added.

Taking about Bollywood movies and actors it was more than pertinent that he was asked about his favourite Bollywood star, he revealed, Dosanjh along with actor Akshay Kumar were his favourites. “I am anyways a big fan of paaji [Dosanjh]. I don’t miss any of his films or music videos. I have seen a lot of Akshay Kumar’s films. I don’t know how people find his films but I like them a lot. His characters always bring out a message,” he said.

However, when it comes to making his biopic Singh feels Akshay is too old to play him and that he would not have really done justice to his character. “Akshay paaji’s age is a lot more. I am his fan. But the character of Sandeep can be played only by a real sardar. I feel Akshay paaji would have played it very well. But I don’t think anybody else than paaji [Dosanjh] could define the character,” he said.

What is interesting to know is Akshay too is all set to do a hockey film too. Titled Gold and directed by Reema Kagti, the film will have him play the role of a hockey coach.