Over the last festive weekend, Dabangg ensured that theatres across the country were reverberated with hooting, clapping and cheering. While most of the resounding applause went out to Salman Khan’s character Chulbul Pandey, the audience also reserved some for his arch enemy Chhedi Singh, played by Sonu Sood, especially every time the latter went shirtless to show off his chiseled body. “I’ve had six packs ever since college days when they weren’t in fashion,” smiles Sood when we catch up with him.
His friend and director Abhinav Kashyap has very well exploited the actor’s fitness mania, having portrayed him as a wrestler, local politician and a goon. Sood recounts that he is the first actor Kashyap approached for the film’s casting. “Abhinav, who co-wrote the film, was the one who recommended me to Mani Ratnam to play Abhishek Bachchan’s brother in Yuva, and we have since been friends. He told me a bit about the character but didn’t reveal the script till he had completed it.”
Apart from bringing him into the limelight, Dabangg also fulfilled his wish for an action movie, though it cost the actor a surgery. “We were to shoot the climax sequence where Salman holds my neck between his legs and turns me around. While rehearsing the scene, the action master’s knee jammed into my nose and I ended up with two fractures,” he says. Unfortunately, there were no well-equipped hospitals in the vicinity of the small town where they were shooting. “We contemplated returning to Mumbai for an emergency surgery. But that would have meant wasting 600 people-crew’s time. So I just shot for a week with a fractured nose,” recalls Sood.
Born and brought up in Punjab, Sood graduated as an engineer from Nagpur University. Though a film-buff, acting didn’t feature in his career plans until he became popular as a model. Having been a part of blockbusters like Jodhaa Akbar, Singh is Kinng and now Dabangg, the actor agrees that his resume looks impressive, but insists that he is yet to realise his dreams. “It’s been a decade-long journey and many filmmakers say that my real potential remains untapped. But then I wonder why they don’t tap it if they know my potential,” complains the 37-year-old, who has also been starring in films down South.
After Dabangg’s success, Sood is hopeful about being offered “good” roles. Meanwhile, he will shoot for Budhha alongside Amitabh Bachchan. “I play a cop in Budhha whereas Mr Bachchan is from the underworld,” he reveals.
And then there is the sequel to Dabangg, the mention of which instantly cheers him up. “Abhinav has already been asked to write it. I was at Salman’s iftar party till 4 am during the weekend, discussing possibilities. We may relocate it to Mumbai. Grey shades have always worked for me. And Dabangg tapped my energies well. Now, with Dabangg 2, I am hopeful of getting an even meatier role as Chhedi Singh’s twin brother who seeks revenge,” he flexes his muscles, with a twisted smile playing on his lips.
His friend and director Abhinav Kashyap has very well exploited the actor’s fitness mania, having portrayed him as a wrestler, local politician and a goon. Sood recounts that he is the first actor Kashyap approached for the film’s casting. “Abhinav, who co-wrote the film, was the one who recommended me to Mani Ratnam to play Abhishek Bachchan’s brother in Yuva, and we have since been friends. He told me a bit about the character but didn’t reveal the script till he had completed it.”
Apart from bringing him into the limelight, Dabangg also fulfilled his wish for an action movie, though it cost the actor a surgery. “We were to shoot the climax sequence where Salman holds my neck between his legs and turns me around. While rehearsing the scene, the action master’s knee jammed into my nose and I ended up with two fractures,” he says. Unfortunately, there were no well-equipped hospitals in the vicinity of the small town where they were shooting. “We contemplated returning to Mumbai for an emergency surgery. But that would have meant wasting 600 people-crew’s time. So I just shot for a week with a fractured nose,” recalls Sood.
Born and brought up in Punjab, Sood graduated as an engineer from Nagpur University. Though a film-buff, acting didn’t feature in his career plans until he became popular as a model. Having been a part of blockbusters like Jodhaa Akbar, Singh is Kinng and now Dabangg, the actor agrees that his resume looks impressive, but insists that he is yet to realise his dreams. “It’s been a decade-long journey and many filmmakers say that my real potential remains untapped. But then I wonder why they don’t tap it if they know my potential,” complains the 37-year-old, who has also been starring in films down South.
After Dabangg’s success, Sood is hopeful about being offered “good” roles. Meanwhile, he will shoot for Budhha alongside Amitabh Bachchan. “I play a cop in Budhha whereas Mr Bachchan is from the underworld,” he reveals.
And then there is the sequel to Dabangg, the mention of which instantly cheers him up. “Abhinav has already been asked to write it. I was at Salman’s iftar party till 4 am during the weekend, discussing possibilities. We may relocate it to Mumbai. Grey shades have always worked for me. And Dabangg tapped my energies well. Now, with Dabangg 2, I am hopeful of getting an even meatier role as Chhedi Singh’s twin brother who seeks revenge,” he flexes his muscles, with a twisted smile playing on his lips.
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