Mahie Gill and Jimmy Sheirgill open up about Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3

Jimmy Sheirgill seems to be attracting quite a lot of Bollywood franchises to his kitty, starting out with the Munna Bhai series, Tanu Weds Manu, Happy Bhaag Jayengi (the sequel will release on August 24) and now he is back with the dark and sinister series Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster. Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 features Sheirgill  alongside Sanjay Dutt, Mahie Gill, Chitrangadha Singh and Soha Ali Khan.
In the first film, we got to see the Saheb (played by Jimmy Sheirgill) struggling with financial woes. His attraction towards his mistress causes the biwi (Mahie Gill who plays Saheb's wife, Madhavi Devi) distress. As time passes by, Madhavi becomes romantically involved with her driver Babloo (Randeep Hooda), who has been appointed by the rival party to murder Saheb. In the climax of the film, even though Babloo succeeds in shooting Saheb, the latter survives. The film concludes with Madhavi, appointing a new driver.
In Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns we get to see the ailing Saheb who is blinded by thoughts of taking revenge on his wife, who has now become a minister. Irrfan Khan plays the 'Gangster' and Soha Ali Khan plays Saheb's love interest, Ranjana.  The third film promises a colourful platter of all sorts of emotions - deceit, conspiracy, lust and more. 

Jimmy Sheirgill
Getting typecast with Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster
"I do agree that typecasting is a thing in Bollywood. But I am even ready for the fourth one, if Tigmanshu (director) says after two months to start shooting! All I need is to grow my moustache and I will be ready for it. It's a character I really enjoy doing each time. I am dying to know what Saheb and Biwi will do next and who the next gangster is going to be."
Working with Sanjay Dutt
"It's my fourth film with Sanjay Dutt; we did Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Eklavya and now this one. What I was excited to watch was the combination of Sanju (Dutt) and Tigmanshu (director). The popular dialogue from the film, Zindagi ki maza hum ne bahut kam liya hai, ab waapas lauta hoon, Zindagi bhar ka maaza loonga (I have not been able enjoy my life completely, now that I'm back, I'm going to enjoy my life to the fullest), is very like Tigmanshu . That's how you see Sanju Baba's character in the film."
What Saheb... has in store 
"The film begins two or three years after the previous movie ends where Saheb is in jail and Biwi has become more powerful. From an MLA she has become a minister. A new gangster comes in. For somebody who has watched (the prequels) the story could be a continuation from there. This woman (Madhavi) does not want her husband out (from jail) and a new gangster comes in, so what happens? For (those who have) not watched the first and second part, this would be a fresh film they will enjoy.
A penchant for sequels 
"I pick and choose from what is offered to me at that point of time and it's a different thing when I did a Tanu Weds Manu.
It was because I liked the character, the set-up and Aanand (director of Tanu Weds Manu) was making it. Same way, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster happened. We were all friends, we all got together and we went to a place. In less than a month, we made a film and came back. We did not go there thinking there is going to be a second part.
In the same way with Happy Bhaag Jayengi, when we made the first movie Aanand Rai (producer of the film) and Mudassar (director) wanted me to play the character of Daman Singh. I was like, if you guys can manage with the dates, I will do it. The movie is releasing on August 24. What I am trying to say is that (at) the time you don't know if a sequel is going to be made."

Mahie Gill
Getting typecast with Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster
"I have worked with Tigmanshu earlier in Paan Singh Tomar!. I remember our writer Sanjay Chauhan, met me and told me that Tigmanshu is planning another film with the title Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster and they don't have a script. I just jumped and said, yes, of course. I loved the title so much. As for the typecasting.... Yes, I do agree that it happens in Bollywood. Before this film I had done Dev.D and people told me to play characters like Paro (often) and after Sahib, Biwi Aur Gangster happened, they wanted me to play characters like that of biwi."
Working with Sanjay Dutt
"It was great, he is childlike.... He is such an awesome person.
"I had a back problem when I started shooting for the film. I was injured and in hospital for two days.
"I was taking a lot of steroids and when I went on the set, every morning, the moment Sanjay sir would see me and he would be like, "Mahie how are you feeling? How is your health?".
"He is a very warm person, so it was great working with him. We had a dance sequence together which was great fun."
What Saheb... has in store
"There is a lot happening this time. The first part was a thriller and the second part was more political and this time it is bigger. There is lot of plotting and scheming this time around."
 
Arathi Jain
citytimes@khaleejtimes.com