Exclusive: Munjya is a case study says Mona Singh

As I walk into this quaint, sunlit cafe in Bandra, I find myself scanning the room, searching for Mona Singh. The cafe is full and the chatter of a hundred conversations fills the air. And then that loud Punjabi laughter reaches my ears. I turn and there she is talking to her team member. If you didn’t know her, you’d mistake her for a regular woman having a good time with her friend. There are no trappings of stardom, no air, and no attempt to be the centre of attraction. I walk upto her and she flashes a smile. I am transported back to the Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin days. Right away, she tells me that she never had starry air about her. Says she, “It’s been 20 years now.  I still remember when Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin was released. My father asked me to have my head over my shoulders and be grounded, despite success and money coming in. I am more adaptable to situations, also because I come from an army background. I don’t take anything too seriously. Success or failure, nothing is permanent. I have been persistent and I think that is the reason I’m still around.”

Mona’s latest hit, Munjya, has captivated audiences and surpassed the 150 crore mark at the box office, proving that content truly is king. She shakes her head and says one really doesn’t know what will work and what won’t. She comments that thanks to OTT, the viewing habits of the masses have changed. The audience feels that the films come on the OTT platforms in some time and hence don’t want to pay the price of the ticket for every release.

So Munjya crossing 100 crores in such a scenario is a big thing for her. “A small budget film like Munjya crossing 100 crore is a whole new revelation. It has become a case study. I feel that it reinforces the fact that content is king and it always will be. Producers and directors should think about making a family entertainer, and not just looking at the hit formula, like going to Spain to shoot a song. It’s not about that anymore. It has to be a great story,” she reflects. As she discusses the challenges of filming Munjya, where CGI played a significant role Mona shares how the actors had to rely on their imagination while interacting with a ghost that was added later. She had no clue how it would all look on the screen and was blown apart when she saw the final product. “I was really taken aback. It was so entertaining. The character was so entertaining. Not only did people enjoy watching all the actors on screen, but they also enjoyed watching Munjya, the CGI character. It was a different fantasy world for all of us. It was tough to act in the film. Actors should look forward to the challenges. And shouldn’t value anything easy in life.” 

Abhay Verma, who played her son, Sharvari Wagh and Taran Singh became her pals on the sets. In between shots, they played house games like Uno and Pictionary and even antakshari. Abhay found it difficult to call her mom as he didn’t feel the age difference while interacting with her off camera. They shot amidst some beautiful locations in Konkan and she fell in love with the region and has promised to explore it further in days to come. “The beaches were so pristine and clear with no tourists. We enjoyed some great seafood. Aditya (Sarpotdar) is from Konkan, so he  introduced us to the local cuisine. We had a great time shooting the film,” she states.

Mona has always been selective with her roles, a trait she attributes to her philosophy in life. Something which comes easy doesn’t appeal to her. Right from her first show, she embraced a policy of waiting for the right things to come, rather than blindly signing everything that came her way. The kind of roles she wanted were few and far between. Her criteria for choosing a script is simple and to the point: It has to move her, touch her heart.  “The story has to resonate with me. It has to be something different and out of the box. It has to be something that I have never done before. It should push and challenge me. That has always been the criteria of choosing a film or a script.”

Hence, her joy was tenfold when Laal Singh Chaddha happened to her. She was charmed by the beautiful script. The added bonus was that she would be able to showcase her character’s lifespan. It was sort of a dream role for her, which gave her many sleepless nights as she felt like reading the script over and over again. She kept doing her homework and went through various sessions of reading with Aamir Khan, director Advait Chandan and with Ahmad Ibn Umar, who played the younger version of Laal. “On the sets, I found my body language and my voice. I had to speak Punjabi in the movie, which was comfortable for me because I speak the language at home. I also took inspiration from my own mother. Mom has always been strong and supported her kids. She has helped us fly and made us believe that nothing is impossible. I really liked my character because she reminded me of my mother,” she reminisces. The film sadly didn’t perform well at the box office. The actor adds that being human, it did hurt when the film didn’t match the expected numbers. She was really upset that the film didn’t do well and remembers crying a little initially, when the wound was raw. She perks up and says Laal Singh Chaddha came into its own on OTT. “That was the time people started to take notice. People started making groups on Facebook and wrote that they really missed the opportunity of not going to the theatres to watch the film. I was very happy to know that.”

Beyond her recent success, Mona reflects on her early days in the industry. She fondly recalls dressing up as Jassi for Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, a show that was a dream come true. She was passionate about acting. It was the only thing she wanted to do and she was fortunate she got to do it every single day. Her only plan in life then was to get the kind of opportunities that she’s getting now. “To start with a show like Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin was like a dream come true. I was never tired. Of course, there were days when it used to get a little taxing because the lead of a show is there in every scene. Otherwise, I was charged up most of the time.” It wasn’t a conventional role. She was a newcomer and auditioned for a year and half before she landed Jassi. The producers told her they would try to give her one day off per week. They said the going was going to be tough. But when the going gets tough, the tough get going as they say. Thankfully, her parents supported her throughout. “They wanted me to follow the unconventional path. They wanted me to make my own identity in my own way. I knew the right advice and followed it properly. After Jassi, I got spoiled for choices. Now, whatever I do in life, it has to be as different and as new and bright as Jassi.”

We’ve heard that she wanted to be an airhostess. Her eyes twinkle with amusement when I tell her that. She clears the air about the misconception and says it was not her idea but her sister’s.

“My sister filled up a form for me. I went for the interview. I had no clue what she had written. My hobby wasn’t reading, it was dancing and singing.” She used to doll up in front of the mirror, like most girls do and would use her mom’s makeup, sarees and dupattas as props for her makeover adventure. She was always the entertainer at house parties, joking around and making people laugh. In school, she participated in all kinds of dramas, skits, fashion shows, dance competitions etc, enjoying such extra-curricular activities the most. “So, I was always inclined towards acting. I remember telling my parents about it. They were sceptical because we did not know anyone from the industry. I told them that we did not need to know anyone, I would try to make it on my own. I wanted to come to Mumbai, give some auditions and try my luck. Things worked in my favour.”

She has dabbled in both films and OTT content and says her approach to acting hasn’t changed with a change in medium. She remarks that characters appear more nuanced on OTT as actors get more time to spend with them. She loved being part of both Kaala Paani and Made In Heaven and has four more shows up for release. “I have a movie lined up as well. I hope to continue to be a part of some compelling stories and characters and wish to continue to entertain, continue to be relevant for a long, long time.”

And why not indeed. Like Jassi, Mona jaisi koi nahin.Exclusive: “Munjya is a case study,” says Mona Singh. Continue reading …Read More