Exploring a different pitch: Suniel Singh

The Indian film industry can boast of several actors who have turned politicians but only one can stake his claim to be the first politician-turned- actor. Suniel Singh, son of deputy Chief Minister Rajender Singh, makes his debut with Ek Second Jo Zindagi Badal De that has been directed by Partho Ghosh.

Suniel belongs to a family of politicians with his father and grandfather being in politics. He started his career in the year 2000 as an independent candidate from Aligarh. He became a member of the Vidhan Parishad in 2003. He aspires to contest in the Lok Sabha elections and wants to protect agricultural land and fight against unemployment. Suniel plays a Pakistani book publisher (Sam) who stays in Malaysia. He is surrounded by a bevy of beautiful girls — Manisha Koirala, Nikita Anand and Rozza Catalano as co-stars.

Suniel has a story to recount. “Well, my Bollywood debut happened in Ek Second Jo Zindagi Badal De! Initially, Aman Varma was playing the role. Aman could not reach Kuala Lumpur for the shoot due to some reason. As everything was ready to start shooting, it was not possible for me to postpone. Since I had been involved with the script and the character right from the beginning, everybody insisted that I should play it. First, I laughed it out but then matters got serious as there was no one who could speak Hindi as fluently as I did. The film could not be put on hold so I was in.”

Suniel adds, “I feel both politics and films are similar because one’s future is in the hands of the people, the aam janata. Just as politicians’ fate is decided by the people during every election, the actor’s fate is decided by the audiences every time his or her film releases.” Suniel is thinking of making a reality show on politics.
The film is being produced by Rachana Singh with music and lyrics by  Anand Raj Anand. Sawann Donirya, Arvinder Singh, Pradeep Chaudhary and Dr. D ‘Kafir’ has also contributed to music and lyrics department.