I want meaty roles, not ones that can be played by anyone else: Jimmy Shergill

After working in romantic films such as Mohabbatein (2000) and Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002), actor Jimmy Shergill wanted to break from the “chocolate-lover boy image” and that’s why he appeared in off-beat films such as Yahaan (2005) and A Wednesday (2008).

Read Shorgul review: It’s a disappointing film on communal riots

The 43-year-old actor admits that he wanted to be known for doing different roles and never wanted to be typecast as a romantic hero.

Read: Irrfan Khan is my favourite actor: Jimmy Sheirgill

“After doing all those films I made a conscious decision to do films which were intense. I love to play different characters and every time I have to do a strong character, I get the chance to research about it, do my own hard work to prepare for it. It’s a kind of a challenge and I love to do that,” he says.

After nearly two decades in the industry, Jimmy wants to play characters which have a story behind them. “ I want to play different characters. Roles can be the same but characters need to be different. I don’t want to do a similar character again and again, even if it means some people like me playing only that character,” he says.

Read: Punjabi film industry has grown over years: Jimmy

“ I’d much rather be part of an ensemble star cast-something like a Lage Raho Munna bhai, where I played the taxi driver, than do a film in which I am the hero, but I do nothing throughout the film and get the girl in the end. I want a meatier role, not a character that can be played by anyone else on screen,” he continues.