?People will love it,? Momal Sheikh on her Bollywood debut film ?Happy Bhag Jayegi?

KARACHI: Pakistani actress Momal Sheikh is all set to make her Bollywood debut with the film Happy Bhag Jayegi. From the makers of Tanu Weds Manu, the film stars Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Ali Fazal and Jimmy Shergill in lead roles.

An unconventional romantic comedy, the film is about a runaway bride (Penty), who leaves the groom (Shergill) at the altar to marry the love of her life (Fazal), but in an unpredictable twist finds herself in Pakistan, where she meets Bilal (Deol) and Zoya, played by Momal. The film has generated a lot of positive buzz after its trailer was unveiled recently by the cast at the Kapil Sharma Show.

This is a big move for Momal, who has made a name for herself through a considerable body of work limited to Pakistani TV serials. Speaking to Geo News, Momal described working in India extraordinary.

“I was very nervous, but when I came here and I met everyone, within a few days it was very easy for me to gel in. They’ve given me so much love and comfort, it just feels like home”. On the reception she gets from people in India, she added: “Now that I’m meeting people for promotions, it’s really nice, getting a lot of love and warmth. The people are so nice here”.

Asked why she chose to do this movie, she responded, “Never thought I would do a Bollywood film, but this was one of the best offers I got. The script was excellent, the film makers were good and the director was good. A rare instance where all three were perfect”.

Talking about Indian and Pakistani actors working together, Momal remarks that, “it feels great. It’s really good if your talent gets recognized internationally. Making your country proud feels good to all of us. Both the countries should work together and explore more, since it’s all about art. Abhay plays a Pakistani, and it’s very rare that we get to hear that somebody’s playing a Pakistani boy [in a Bollywood film]; there are a lot of films where you see Pakistani girls, but this is the first time where you see [someone play] a Pakistani boy.”

Veteran actor and Momal’s father, Javed Sheikh also stars in the film, playing Bilal’s father, although he is not seen in the trailer. Describing how they came to work together, she mentions, “He’s playing Abhay’s dad. He was offered [the film] before I was, and they were looking for a Pakistani girl to play Zoya. They found me on Google, and asked him if she’s related to you since you have the same surname, and that’s how it happened”.

To her fans, Momal has this to say: “I’m thankful for the love and support from my Pakistani fans, and I can guarantee that this is a full on entertainment movie and they will be really proud of me after this. This is the first comedy film between Pakistan and India, and people will love it”.

The film is scheduled to release on August 19, 2016.