Diljit Dosanjh: I don't have any interest in sports

Diljit Dosanjh loves to challenge himself The Punjabi musicianactor won acclaim when he forayed into Bollywood as an earnest cop in Abhishek Chaubeys drugsdrama Udta Punjab 2016 His successive outing with Anushka Sharma in Phillauri earlier this year also spoke of his acting prowess However it is probably his latest offering that may put his prowess as an actor to test Currently shooting for Soorma a biopic on professional field hockey player Sandeep Singh in Chandigarh Dosanjh admits that the world he is now being introduced to is one that he isnt acquainted withDiljit DosanjhI have never been interested in any form of sport Dosanjh tells midday adding For me the focus was always on music Forget following a game I had never stepped foot in a stadium before this offer came my way The actor recalls that when he was approached with Shaad Alis directorial venture he opined that the film was set against the backdrop of Punjab and would chronicle the states love for the game Later I was told that I would be playing hockey champ Sandeep Singh I broke into a sweat Leave alone holding a hockey stick I wasnt even versed with the rules of the gameSandeep Singh PicAFPIts hard to come to terms with what he says especially when we notice the proficiency with which he navigates the ball and scores the goals at a Chandigarh stadium It is here that he is filming Soorma Its hard to miss the earnestly in his voice when he reveals hes only recently begun deciphering the tricks of the game I have an understanding of at least one game now he laughs with childlike joy That he had the man himself to play mentor off screen implies that Dosanjh was bound to ape Singhs demeanour As soon as I gave my nod for the film I began spending time with Sandeep paaji We lived together throughout October I remember the first time that I met him I gave him a good hard look I carefully analysed the man I was set to play Short interactions slowly extended to long hours and Dosanjh was certain to utilise the time noticing Singhs quirks We would spend several hours together so that I could observe his mannerisms But it was really learning his game that was the uphill task Yet I was determined to give my best shot I have seen many actors strum guitars and play pianos on screen As a musician I know that the way they do it is wrong So I was certain that I wanted to get the techniques of the game right he says quick to add that he cannot match the prowess of his museI cant match his perfection He has a worldrecord for the drag flick he says with pride If he needed additional help Dosanjh also had Singhs brother Bikramjeet also a hockey player for assistance Bikramjeet also features in the film The cuts on Dosanjhs hands are evident as he chronicles his toil of learning the game over the past three months They bleed often he says adding that he also finds himself tending an aching back due to the postural requirement of the sport This made me realise what Sandeep paaji must have gone through He even battled a back injury after he was shot And still overcame it to return to the field In hockey a player is constantly bending He had to do it after being shot in the back I have immense respect for himHis joyous face quickly drops when we ask him about his diet that has him knocking off kilos from his alreadylithe frame I was told that I would have to lose weight and acquire a lean look I realised that dieting is tougher than playing hockey he wails irked by his diet that comprises egg whites brown rice and cucumber Its difficult to resist food So I have made it a point to be around people when they are tucking into delicious fare That way I am at least connected to food in a way even if that involves merely stealing a glance at itIt would be fairly futile to appoint Dosanjh and not employ his vocal skills and the makers of Soorma have been wise to notice that They turned to Dosanjh with a plea to sing a romantic track in the outing which pairs him alongside Taapse Pannu for the first time Sandeep paaji is a romantic person Im thankful for that trait which enabled me to sing in this filmCatch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go