Want to divide my time between Punjabi, Hindi cinema: Gippy Grewal

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, May 11 (IANS) Diljit Dosanjh has reason to worry. His closest competitor and fiercest rival from Punjabi cinema Gippy Grewal is back in Bollywood, this time playing a 'sardarji' in a film about male bonding titled "Lucknow Central". He says he hopes to create a balance between his projects in Hindi and Punjabi.

Gippy, who has just scored a huge hit in Punjabi called "Manje Bistre", has spent 90 days shooting for new director Ranjit Tiwari's "Lucknow Central".

He says, "The film is complete now. I had the time of my life shooting with four of the most kind hearted and talented actors of Hindi cinema -- Farhan Akhtar, Rajesh Sharma, Inamul Haq and Deepak Dobriyal. I learnt so much from them just talking to them and working with them. I've come away a rich man."

"Lucknow Central" is a prison drama about the bonding among five prisoners.

"There are five protagonists and I play a sardarji. There are no girls for any of us. Diana Penty is a part of the cast. But she isn't paired with any of us."

Gippy says he is happy to be multi-cultural in his career.

"I've a place in Punjabi cinema. My new film is, by God's grace, a hit. I want to divide my time between Punjabi and Hindi cinema. Nowadays, travel is so easy. In a couple of hours, you can be in any city of the world.

"In fact, I was working with Rajesh in 'Lucknow Central' in Mumbai, and we became close friends. I asked him why he hasn't invited me home yet. And he said that's because he was in a hotel. He told me he lives in Kolkata and flies to Mumbai whenever required to shoot.

"So the world is an oyster and I want to do both Punjabi and Hindi cinema with equal certainty that I don't have to look anxiously over my shoulder at either of my career options," he said.

Gippy is filled with praise for his "Lucknow Central" co-star Farhan.

"He is such a sorted artiste, and into singing and acting and direction. I am trying to do the same," says Gippy, who wants to direct a Hindi film soon.

"I would've made my directorial debut in Hindi sooner. But I got busy shooting for my Punjabi film 'Manje Bistre' for my Hindi film 'Lucknow Central'. But now I will direct my Hindi film," said Gippy, who also wants to sing in Hindi.

"I've a name for singing and acting in Punjabi. Now it's time to make my presence felt in Bollywood," Gippy said.