New Delhi: Of late, Abhishek Chaubey’s directorial ‘Udta Punjab’ has been in the centre of news. The makers took their rift with Central Board of Film Certification to the Bombay High court opposing the 89 cuts suggested by the board.
Luckily, for the makers the HC ruled in their favour and asked the CBFC to pass the film with only one cut and an ‘A’ certificate. This judgement was celebrated by the entire film fraternity which had stood in solidarity with co-producer Anurag Kashyap.
Amidst all this noise created around the movie, it shouldn’t be forgotten that ‘Udta Punjab’s’ story essentially revolves around the life of a drug addict Tommy Singh played by actor Shahid Kapoor. In fact, all the 13 suggestions of the censor board, had mostly Tommy in mention.
Now, we all know how Shahid prepped up for this role, how he drank coffee to get high and all the ordeals he went through. However, Tommy Singh is deeper than what you think him to be.
As ‘Udta Punjab’ awaits release on June 17, we bring to you five revelations about Tommy made by Shahid himself, which tell that this character was not easy. These things about Tommy were said by Shahid during the media interactions during promotions.
On Tommy’s madness:
Haider was very normal as compared to Tommy (laughs). I can say that. I remember when me and Abhishek were talking, he said 'You remember that mad scene in Haider, where you are bald and you go berserk and are talking to yourself', I said 'Yeah!'. He told, 'That is where Tommy Singh has to start'.
On choosing Tommy:
I fell for Tommy because besides being hateable, there is also redemption and realisation for him. Abhishek has given this character a 360 degrees spin. There is a full graph. There are certain films you do as a star and there are some you do to satisfy yourself as an actor. Tommy is a mix of both. He is very exciting, so to speak.
Also Read: Shahid Kapoor is the reason Kareena and Alia made it to ‘Udta Punjab’
On difference between Shahid and Tommy:
He is a Punjabi pop star who is a substance addict. He is not a regular guy. I had to work on my body and look. The most difficult part was to get into the head of this character like why he behaves like this, why is he so eccentric and mad. Those who are addicts are often hyper and eccentric. Usually I prefer to do less loud characters.
On Tommy’s look:
Abhishek Chaubey was concerned with what I was doing with my hair we had discussions over it and then things worked out. I did not want to get a body of a body builder, I wanted it to be of someone who has abused himself. We worked a lot on that.
On wife Mira’s reaction after watching Tommy:
She was sitting two inches away from me during the film's screening and when the interval happened she was sitting two feet away from me. Then she said please tell me you are not Tommy Singh!
