“Akshay Kumar is a legend and truly defines what professionalism is.”

-Rup Magon of Josh talks Speedy Singh, acting debut and more…
Maheen Sabeeh

More and more musicians are turning towards acting these days. This isn’t just a Hollywood orBollywood phenomenon anymore. Right here in Pakistan, the music industry is filled with artists who dabble in both forms.

Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Junaid Khan (Call), Gohar Mumtaz (Jal), Fawad Afzal Khan (EP) and Ahmed Ali Butt (EP) are just some musicians who have turned to acting in the last few years and have done it successfully. Joining them this year is one-half of desi funk outfit Josh, namely Rupinder Magon (Rup). Earlier this year, Rup made his acting debut in the recently-released flick, Speedy Singh.

The flick, directed by Robert Lieberman, is centered on the sport of ice hockey and features heavyweights like Rob Lowe, Ludacris, Anupem Kher among others. And it’s produced by Bollywood biggie Akshay Kumar.

“My friends Manny Brar and Nav Bhatia put me in touch with the production team. I liked the story and the idea so I decided to audition. The production team liked the audition and here I am,” Rup tells Instep Today from Canada.

The film, says Rup, “is about a young man named Rajveer Singh who wishes to become a professional athlete. His father, however, does not agree with him and wants him to stay within the family business. Against the backdrop of ice-hockey, it’s an incredibly entertaining and loving family movie”.

For fans of Rup though, the big question is, how significant is his role in the film?

“I play a supporting role and official player on the ever famous Speedy Singhs. I have a comic role which keeps scenes up-lifting and adds comedy wherever possible,” reveals Rup.

To make a debut in an Akshay Kumar production is no small feat for someone who has no prior experience. But Rup enjoyed the process thoroughly.

“Although it seems nerve wrecking, Akshay’s loving and easy nature made being on the set very comfortable. Akshay Kumar is a legend and truly defines what professionalism is,” says Rup.

And Akshay wasn’t the only one with star power on the sets. The film also features Russell Peters, Anupam Kher and Rob Lowe as Coach Dan Winters. Luckily for Rup, he interacted with all three of them and felt the whole experience was “amazing”.

“I had scenes with all three of them. Being on set with them was amazing. I learned a lot from each of them. Their humility and work ethic is something I admire,” Rup tells Instep Today.

But it wasn’t all pretty. While working with the stars was enjoyable, it was difficult shooting some scenes. “Shooting scenes on the ice were particularly difficult. Being in that equipment and on ice-skates for hours at a time made it very difficult to act. I’m glad the ice-scenes are over,” Rup confesses.

Speaking about the rest of the cast, Rup tells Instep Today, “The lead of this film, Vinay Virmani, is an up and coming super star. Not only is he a great guy, but he worked extremely hard at this project that he started himself by writing the story. There are many other amazing actors like Noureen DeWolf, Ali Hassan, Al Mukadam, Sakina Jaffry, and Prem Singh.”

Even though this was the first step towards acting, Rup is looking to pursue it further.

“I’ve had a cameo in a Hollywood film that hasn’t been released yet. There was a little bit of dialogue in that scene but it was nothing like this. I will definitely try to pursue this further. I enjoyed the experience and would most certainly do it again,” he says.

Before its release, Speedy Singh was also screened at Toronto International Film Festival where, according to Rup, the reception was overwhelming.

“Toronto International Film Festival had never seen a premiere like ours. We had blocked off Canada’s busiest street, Yonge St., and had everything from dhol players, singers, elephants, horses, and rickshaws. The crowd loved the uniqueness and honesty of the movie. Josh’s track ‘Chaddi Wale Yaar’ has also been warmly received,” Rup tells Instep Today.

And yes, Josh did feature on the soundtrack of the film.

“Josh gave its vocals to a Meet Bros Anjan composition on a track called ‘Chaddi Wale Yaar’. The track is becoming very popular in India. We loved the composition when we heard and were excited to give our vocals to it,” says Rup.

And now that the film has released, Rup is back to his other love, music.

“Josh is always working hard on the road and creating new music for our fans,” he says and continues, “We are currently working on a second video from Beyond Kismat The first track ‘Pyar Ho Gaya’ has become quite famous so we are thankful for that,” concludes Rup.