Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great

Bollywood actor Sunny Deol isn’t a star in the traditional sense. He would rather get a tooth extracted than let a video camera trail him — although he’s got plenty to show off about. The son of legendary actor Dharmendra, his career peaked in the 1990s, when he was known as the king of action. His angry lawyer act in the blockbuster Damini, in which he defended a rape victim, and his role as a wounded, revenge-thirsty young man in Ghayal made him an acting force to be reckoned with. However, he didn’t capitalise on success like today’s stars do, with brand endorsements or movies. He just took his time and treated his fans to some good movies from time to time.

In 2000, he came back with a bang as the turban-wearing lorry driver in India-Pakistan partition drama Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Ever since, it’s been a string of roles that require him to play a large-hearted sardar (a title of nobility) from Punjab. He’s back in business this Thursday with Singh Saab The Great. No prizes for guessing what his role is about.

“In Bollywood, it’s ironic that once you get tagged you can never step out of that image. I am just tagged as that sardar, so no one offers me any other role,” said Deol in an email interview. He plays the morally upright Saranjeet Singh in the drama directed by Anil Sharma, out on Thursday. Excerpts from the interview:

Tell us about your role in Singh Saab The Great. What attracted you to the film?

Singh Saab The Great is a story about a common man who takes pride in being honest. He leads a simple life and believes in values that help him lead that life. I play the role of an honest government official in a small city in Uttar Pradesh. He’s against corruption and injustice. The story of SSTG is driven by love and its strength. It’s a story about heralding change instead of wreaking revenge. When director Anil Sharma approached me and narrated the story, I loved it. I told him that we should develop this plot. Something about an honest collector who fights for his family and truth spoke to me. It was a family drama that was inspiring.

You have played a Sikh before in some iconic films. Do you fear being typecast by taking on roles that highlight your clan and ethnicity?

No, it isn’t like that. It just so happens that most films that are offered to me have the background of Punjab. Here I play a sardar but the film is based in northern Uttar Pradesh. In Bollywood, it’s ironic that once you get tagged you can never step out of that image. I am just tagged as that sardar, so no one offers me any other role.

Singh Saab The Great is a take on the strength of the ordinary man. Do you think the common man has power only in films and that the reality is different in India?

No. The reality is that a common man in India is very powerful. Sometimes, they just don’t realise their strength. I believe once they do, they have the power to change their country. For instance, many people may cast their vote wondering what’s the point, but what they don’t realise is that their votes can change the government, which in turn can change the country for good. It’s a matter of altering their mindset.

What was the toughest part about playing Saranjeet Singh and how would you describe your method of acting?

At this point in my career, I don’t think any role is tough for me. I don’t do any homework or research for the role I am doing. My brain is my library and I take inputs from the director in case I have doubts about the role or a particular scene. After so many years of acting experience, I can switch roles easily.

Were you ever an activist in real life? What causes were you attached to or feel strongly about?

I am not an activist; I am just an actor. But there are lots of causes I support but I don’t like talking about them. I don’t do it for publicity purposes, so let them stay with me.

You belong to the illustrious Dharmendra/Deol clan. Is your legacy a strength or a weakness?

It is always a blessing. While I was doing my first film, being the son of Dharmendra meant there was a mountain of expectation. But over the years, I have fulfilled it and I believe I did well. But I still can’t compete with what my papa did. He is my strength and will always be.

Ghayal was one of the best films in your career. Why didn’t we see you capitalise on its success? Do you think keeping a low profile has cost you in Bollywood?

I have always done what I thought was right and I always believed that my work should speak for itself. So I thought keeping a low profile was all right. But now, times have changed. Now, promoting a film is as important as making one. So these days you will find me appearing on TV shows and giving interviews to promote my film.