Bollywood has witnessed a remarkable rise in talent with actors like Diljit Dosanjh, Ammy Virk, and Manjot Singh making their mark with unique roles and challenging stereotypes. Among them, Manjot Singh has been particularly noteworthy for breaking the mold associated with Sardar characters in Hindi cinema. In an exclusive conversation with India.com, the Fukrey actor discussed his career and the importance of staying true to his roots.
Manjot Singh first burst onto the Bollywood scene at just 16 years old with his debut in Dibakar Banerjee’s Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! Since then, he has become widely recognized for his role as Lali Halwai in the Fukrey franchise. Recently, as he basked in the success of Wild Wild Punjab, Singh reminisced about a piece of advice his mother gave him before his debut.
“Two or three days before shooting for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, my mom sat me down and said, ‘Beta, always remember to never take a role that makes fun of your religion or yourself,’” Singh recalled. “She used to get really angry when she saw Sardar characters portrayed in a comical, exaggerated way, with ‘balle balle’ playing in the background and colorful costumes. She made it clear that I should never allow myself to be part of something like that.”
Singh emphasised that he has consistently chosen roles that respect his identity. “I’ve always taken my work seriously. The situation in a scene can be funny, but I will never do anything that makes a mockery of myself or my religion. That’s something I’ve always been mindful of, and I will continue to be,” he added.
In Wild Wild Punjab, now streaming on Netflix India, Singh plays Honey Singh, a character that diverges from his usual roles. The film, a wild road trip comedy, showcases Singh in a new light. “It took me 15 years to get a role like this. The response has been overwhelming, especially from the Sikh community. They’re proud, and that makes me feel incredibly proud,” Singh said. “I hope my journey paves the way for more Sikh actors in the industry.”
With his dedication to breaking stereotypes, Manjot Singh is not just creating a niche for himself in Bollywood but also opening doors for future generations of Sikh actors.
