Ardab Mutiyaran cast: Debutant actor Ajay Sarkaria opened up on meeting producer Gunbir Singh Sidhu in Mumbai and working opposite Sonam Bajwa.

In the first week of June this year, acclaimed production house White Hill Studios had announced the signing of Ajay Sarkaria for a two-movie contract via their Instagram handle. Playing the lead role in White Hill's upcoming Punjabi movie titled 'Ardab Mutiyaran', Sarkaria will face his first litmus test on October 18.

For those who don't know, Sarkaria has previously appeared on Hindi TV show '24' [Season 2] and another one produced by Rajshri Productions.

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It was during his time in Mumbai that Sarkaria first met White Hill's founder Gunbir Singh Sidhu. In an exclusive interview with Punjabi Mania, Sarkaria unveiled what he titles as a "filmy" story which earned him his debut movie.

"I was in Mumbai in 2016. I used to audition for various roles. I met someone at a coffee shop who asked me if I was interested in doing Punjabi movies. I was anyway giving auditions so I thought let me try once here as well. Having given a general audition over there, I didn't speak to that person for almost a year.

"One fine day he called me and asked for my location. Since I was in Chandigarh then, he called me to White Hill's office as they were looking to launch a non-singer. I thought that person must be some casting director. However, it was only later that I found out that he was Gunbir Singh Sidhu himself. Quite a filmy story [laughs]," Sarkaria was quoted as saying.

"Unconcerned about not being a singer..."

As unfortunate as it sounds, non-singers tend to take more time in getting their feet firm in the Punjabi film industry. However, Sarkaria sounded unperturbed about the fact that he isn't a singer-turned-actor.

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"The thing is that the movie should connect with people. Despite singers already having a fan-following, I don't think it [him being a non-singer] is a concern. If this would have been the case, someone like Harish Verma wouldn't be a successful actor. Moreover, I have a stellar cast with me which is keeping me away from such worries," Sarkaria said.

Ajay Sarkaria credits Sonam Bajwa for instilling confidence

There is no going into a safe house about the certitude that stakes are high for any debutant actor who is being launched by White Hill opposite Sonam Bajwa. Both the names are among the best in their respective category at this point in time in Punjab.

"I believe the presence of White Hill gives me more confidence than pressure. They never compromise with their content. 90% of good Punjabi movies have been made under their banner.

"As far as working opposite Sonam [Bajwa] ma'am is considered, I was a bit nervous initially. I must say that the bigger the artist the more mature he/she is. She herself took the initiative to make me comfortable before the shooting had started. While shooting the moviw, she instilled confidence in me before my first shot," Sarkaria mentioned about working with White Hill and Sonam Bajwa.

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While details about the movie will only be known after watching it in cinema halls, one thing which can be presumed right now is it laying emphasis on its female characters. Expressing confidence in his craft, a composed Sarkaria was unflustered about the screen space given to him in the movie.

"To be very honest, quantity of the role never mattered to me. I didn't even give it a thought. There is nothing bigger for me to get launched opposite Sonam ji in a movie produced by White Hill Studios. If people like my performance, they will like it even if it's a female-oriented movie," Sarkaria concluded.