Jimmy Shergill believes in entertaining with a message

New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) Actor Jimmy Shergill is still riding high on the laurels his performance in 'A Wednesday' brought him and says he is looking forward to doing more films that focus on providing 'entertainment with a message'.

'I have done offbeat films like 'Maachis', 'Haasil', 'Mumbai Meri Jaan', 'Yahaan' and 'A Wednesday' in my career. These appeal to me as an actor because, apart from delivering a social message, they are entertaining as well. That is the crux of any good film,' Jimmy told IANS.

'If the audience spends two hours and nearly Rs.200 to go and watch a film, it is important for us to provide them wholesome entertainment,' he added.

The actor, who has also starred in conventional flicks like 'Mohabbatein', 'Dil Vil Pyar Vyar' and 'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai', gives a thumbs up to films like 'Munnabhai M.B.B.S.' and 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai'.

'Too much realism without any entertainment makes a boring film. I think there should be realism in movies, but the filmmaker must not get carried away and forget the entertainment aspect of it. I think the 'Munnabhai' series are the best examples of the kind of films I believe in - those that entertain with a message,' said Jimmy, who did cameos in both the 'Munnabhai' films.

These days, the actor is in the news for having bagged the coveted V. Shantaram Award for Best Supporting Actor for his spirited performance in 'A Wednesday'.

'This is my first nomination and first award in the 13 years that I have spent in Bollywood. It feels so good and especially because it is a V. Shantaram Award - so respectable.

'I used to think that even after so many years, I had not received a single award and that I would possibly receive one lifetime achievement award 30 years down the line. But this award has changed it all,' Jimmy quipped.

He said he was always confident about the success of 'A Wednesday', which starred veteran actors Naseerudin Shah and Anupam Kher in pivotal roles.

The film, directed by Neeraj Pandey, was a runaway hit with its strong script that revolved around a hapless middle class man taking on the task of eliminating hardcore terrorists undergoing trial in courts. Jimmy played a police officer in the film and received critical acclaim for his performance.

'When I read the film's script, I felt it had a voice of its own. I knew it would do well, but didn't expect the amount of praise that came in from critics and audiences. It was a role I hadn't done before and people have appreciated my performance,' said Jimmy.

As of now, the actor is upbeat about his forthcoming Bollywood releases including Anjum Rizvi's supernatural thriller 'Flat', Shoojit Sarkar's 'Johnny Mastana' and an anthology 'Mumbai Cutting'. Jimmy is also awaiting the release of a Punjabi film titled 'Tera Mera Ki Rishta'.