What was your reaction when you read the script and realised you would be playing a Sardar?

Well Bachna Ae Haseeno had not released at that time and Adi (Aditya Chopra) called me and said: “just react to this title — Rocket Singh: Salesman of The Year.” He didn’t tell me who the writer or director was. It didn’t really hit me that it was a film about a Sardar, when he briefly told me about the idea of the film. It was then that he told me that Jaideep (Sahni) and Shimit (Amin) had been working on the script and Shimit was planning to direct it. I was ecstatic because I am a big fan of Jaideep and Shimit’s work and just to get a film written by Jaideep and directed by Shimit and produced by YRF was just overwhelming for me. But it is not being a Sardar that excited me about playing the role. I am playing a man who happens to be a Sardar.

This is your first film with Shimit Amin. How was the experience?

He is one of the finest human beings I have met. He is a bit of an introvert. He doesn’t over or under direct you. He has the right sensibilities of how he wants the actor to do a scene. He is extremely talented and gives you your space. I think he is fantastic. I am relatively new in this industry and have not worked with so many directors but certainly amongst the directors I have worked with he is one of the best. It has been a humbling experience for me to be directed by him and to be speaking Jaideep’s lines.

Your look in the film is completely different. What was the reaction from friends and family?

It was a mixed reaction. It took me five weeks to grow the beard. In these five weeks we tried different kinds of turbans because we wanted to get the turbans correct — the fabric, the colour pattern, length, etc. Even while doing the readings I used to wear the turban so that I could get used to the fact that I am playing a Sardar and it doesn’t look like I’ve just worn the turban for the sake of the character on the day of the shoot. But yes, for my family — well, my mother and naani are Sardarnis... so they were ecstatic and said that their wishes were fulfilled that with me playing a Sardar. They were really happy. My friends were really happy that I was working with Shimit. Everyone is really intrigued and excited and there was a very positive buzz about the film even before I started.

Did the people around recognise you?

Because it is a character-based film, we wanted to make it as real as possible. We didn’t want to put on a fake beard so I grew a natural beard. Thankfully I have a good growth so it didn’t take a long time. Even then, it was not that when I went out people didn’t recognise me. When we started the film, the buzz of the movie was such that whenever we went — like we shot a lot on the roads and actual streets of Mumbai — people saw a kind of familiarity with this character (Harpreet Singh Bedi) and started connecting with me, as the character.

How would you describe your character?

The character I play is called Harpreet Singh Bedi. He has just graduated from college, high time that he starts doing something about his life. He is really interested in sales because more than marks and grades, it’s the intelligence and exposure, and the fact that you respect people, that matters to him. I don’t want to say more because I want the audience to come and discover the film on their own.

Do you identify with Harpreet?

Absolutely. Because I think the character is about the youth of the country. It’s about the youth consumed by the desire of the brighter future, youth with the honesty and integrity and a clear heart. They want to earn money obviously, but they have to choose a path and do it in the right way. You can choose between the two paths. And the path that Harpreet chooses is really brave. What he does is amazing!

What do you think makes a good salesman?

More than getting the job, orders and targets achieved, it’s the honesty and integrity. And not only in sales, in any profession. You just need to have these qualities and you will succeed in whatever you do.

How was it playing ‘office office’?

I was totally alien to this world. Shimit wanted me to have a look at how an office runs, so we used to hang out in the Yash Raj corporate offices to go and see how the atmosphere was. He showed me some DVDs just to see how offices are run. Even when our set was made, it was an office and it was actually like we are going to office. Even when we were not shooting and got breaks we spent time there. So it was not like we were never out of office and were staying there and hanging out. Having your lunch there and interacting with your colleagues. Because of this we used to be so engrossed in our characters, that most of the time we used to call each other by our characters’ names.

Did you model yourself on anyone to play a Sardar?

Shimit and Jaideep have made the character so new that I couldn’t imagine anyone in it but I remember I had a friend called Jaikaran Juneja whom I have grown up with. He is a Sardar. He is just like you and me — you don’t have to make it a caricature or make it an item. Harpreet speaks exactly like him. I don’t think I have modelled myself on him, but I have taken some traits from him.

Who is better in the role of a Sardar — you or your Dad (Rishi Kapoor just played one in Love Aaj Kal)?

I can never compare myself to my father. He is one of the finest actors in this industry. I am new here. I cannot even compare myself to his 30 illustrious years in the industry. He is one of my favourites. I would rather not even use my name in the same sentence.