Vinnil Markan, who is directing rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh-starrer film "Zorawar", says they nearly completed the film before the singer-turned-actor took ill. But he hopes the movie helps him achieve superstar status as an actor.
"We only had two days of (shoot for a) fight (sequence) left, so all dramatic portions were in the bag. We were just sensitive about how not to tire him out too much for those two days. We had completed most of the film so we shot these last two days and showcased the film at the Melbourne IFFM festival on August 22, 2015," Markan said.
Just last month, Honey Singh had opened up about his struggle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism.
Markan, who earlier made the 2013 romantic comedy "Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story" in Hindi with Vivek Oberoi in the lead, says he hopes "Zorawar" in Punjabi will bring Honey Singh back into the reckoning.
"I hope that he achieves the same superstar status that he has in the music world. He has worked extremely hard and diligently for the film. I'm sure all his supporters and detractors too, will notice that he is a very good actor," he added.
Markan and Honey Singh go back a long way.
"I had made his first ever video 11 years ago, "Glassy" by Ashok Mastie, and one could see his swagger then. I have known him for 11 years. If you see his videos for his own songs, they all have some acting or the other. So, facing the camera wouldn't be a problem... that I knew," the director said.
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Markan even said that Honey Singh worked hard on character in "Zorawar".
"I explained scenes and dialogues with sub-text to him. He is a very eager learner. It's an intense dramatic thriller. And Yo Yo is in his element."