FILM INTERVIEW: HIMESH RESHAMMIYA
Bollywood’s Composer-Singer-Actor Delves Into Comedy
He is a composer, singer, and actor. This weekend, Himesh Reshammiya is going to add 'comedian' to that list, as Swapna Waghmare’s Damadamm (with Sonal Sehgal and Purbi Joshi) hits theaters just in time for Diwali on October 21st. Making a name for himself in movies such as Karzzz, Aap Kaa Surroor, Radio, and Kajraare, Mr. Reshammiya is also looking forward to his debut in English cinema (Christophe Lenoire’s A * Is Killed), as well as the release of his album, Da Edge.
In promoting Damadamm, Mr. Reshammiya sheds light on how people perceive him, what he is looking forward to, and the expectations he has of his own work. Read on of what he told the press:
Simran Mody: This is the first comedy you are doing. How funny are you in real life?
Himesh Reshammiya: People perceive me as a very serious person, which I am not in real life. I have a good sense of humor, which will be visible in this film.
SM: Damadamm is not the only shift you are making at this point in your career. What’s on tap for you next? Starring in an English film as a musician?
HR: I’m really looking forward to my English film (to be released in December) where I’m playing the role of Siddharth Patel.
SM: You’ll be wearing your own musician hat very soon, as your album, Da Edge, will be releasing soon in 122 countries...
HR: My album has 15 songs, and the first single is "I Have Been Waiting for You so Long." It has been remixed by Edward Maya -- the famous trance deejay. Roman White, who directs videos for Justin Bieber, is the video director.
SM: You’ll be facing stiff competition with this Diwali, as Damadamm goes up against Shah Rukh Khan’s RA.One. What are your thoughts on that?
HR: It’s a Diwali release, and though it is releasing amid huge competition like RA.One, I’m very confident that it will make a mark. I’m confident about it as a product and as a storyline because I know that the central characte -- Sameer, played by me -- will instantly connect with the audience. It's a very real character, and it's a fun-loving, romantic film.
SM: As if competing against a Shah Rukh Khan film is not hard enough, there seems to also be pressure on whether you can hold your own at the box office as a headlining actor...
HR: I’m growing as an actor, so there is pressure, as an actor, on me. Even when I did Aap Ka Surroor, people had reservations about my acting, but it did very well. So I’m confident about this film too.
Studio 18's 'Damadamm' is released on October 27, 2011 in India.
