Artists are priceless: Sunil Grover

Sunil Grover is an actor who knows that the pulse of his audience has come a long way. The actor, who is known for his impeccable comic timing, will now be seen in Salman Khan’s Bharat.

In an industry where all the actors easily get typecast, Sunil says he is okay with it. “I am okay being typecast and everybody gets typecast,” he says. “No matter what you are doing, this happens. I have been lucky to explore various things; I have been lucky to do the films that I am doing. I also got lucky with roles like Gabbar, and this film is also nothing like what I have done before. So I am okay with being typecast, as long as I am good at what I do the best.”

Many comedians have left their mark on Bollywood, but unfortunately none have been given the respect that they deserve. But Sunil says that things are changing. “Right now in our industry, comedians are in a good space,” he claims. “They were treated differently earlier, but now there are so many shows. And seeing the kind of money they get, people have understood the fact that comedy is not an easy thing, it is very difficult to do comedy and make people laugh. I have the utmost respect for people who make people laugh,” he says.

And while he has been experimenting with his own comedy, Sunil has been careful about avoiding certain types. “I try an avoid insult comedy as much as I can; I will try and do comedy where I can take jokes at myself. I am for the family audience, and I want the family to feel comfortable watching me on screen. None of them should be uncomfortable. I get a lot of offers for sex comedies as well, and I don’t want to do any comedy with sex.”

He also addresses talk about comedians not being paid as much as they deserve — he says that maybe they just didn’t ask for the money. “Maybe they didn’t demand. There were comedians without whom the film is incomplete. In the south, it still exists and they are paid heavily, but less than what they deserve. But they are paid a respectable good amount. You can’t run without comedians. People who have the potential should be rewarded.” “On what basis you will pay for his or her performance?” he asks. Adding further, he says, “A couple of days ago, I was listening to ghazals. The kinds of songs that Jagjit (Singh) wrote are refreshing; it soothes my mood and makes me stress-free. He is not there anymore, but his songs continue to make us happy. So how do you put a prize to such work?”

“What can you pay this person for the kind of entertainment he is giving you. Artists are priceless,” he claims. As for his role in Bharat, the actor is all praises for co-star Salman Khan. “His calculation and understanding of the person is mind-blowing,” he gushes. “I am grateful to him. He is a superstar, and if he likes my work, it only boosts my confidence.

I am thankful to him. I am a bigger of Salman after working with him,” concludes the comedian.