Sunday 19 January 2014

10 Questions with Gurmit Singh


This week, we had the utmost privilege of interviewing our very own local artiste Gurmit Singh, who portrayed one of Singapore's favourite icons 'Phua Chu Kang' with his trademark facial mole and yellow boots. Fondly etched in many Singaporeans' minds is his famous tagline in the well-loved Channel 5 sitcom 'Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd' that goes, "Best in Singapore, JB, and some say Batam!".

Opening of 'Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd'

Gurmit has not only been appearing on our local television as an actor, but also as a comedian, host and singer, showing to us his multi-talented skills. He has been acting ever since 1988, and besides having had his own talk show, he has hosted three seasons of the Singapore Idol, as well as Singapore's first football reality show "First XI" in 2012.

Undoubtedly, he is one of Singapore's best loved artistes, and it was an extremely great honour for us to be able to have an interview with him. Here's our '10 Questions with Gurmit Singh'!

Q1:   Who/What inspired you to be an actor?
I have always gotten great satisfaction performing on stage in my school days, so going into TV was a natural progression.

Q2:   How old were you when you started on this acting career?
I started in 1988.

Q3:   What advice would you give to the young, aspiring local talents out there in Singapore? Also, what is your take on the local arts scene?
Aspiring talents need to know there will be Alot of Perspiring.  Many I have spoken to have the misconception that it's all a walk in the park and the career is an easy one. ON the contrary, we do alot of hard work to do a good job, to be able to showcase a production of high value. You really have to have the passion and the patience for this job or you soon become overwhelmed with the different stresses and pressures.

The local art scene is thriving if you compare it to the 80's.  There are more venues, platforms, companies and so on that put the various arts forms up. But having said that, we still have a long way to go in terms of culture and ethics of an international standard.

Q4.  What is the hardest part about acting?
Having to do it on your bad day. That can be the most challenging because the last thing you want to do is say lines that don't really correspond with what you are going through internally.

Q5. Which has been your favorite character to play in all your years of acting?
Think this is an easy one. It would be Phua Chu Kang. He is the most irreverant but comedic role I have had. He gets away with practically anything.

Q6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I can't really even see myself in the next week. This industry is a very volatile one. So if for some reason the viewers don't want to watch or support me anymore, I am essentially out of a career, much less a job!

Q7. What are the most important attributes to being successful in this career?
Humility.  Some like to use shock factor or diva factor but for me, it's humility.

Q8. What has been your biggest achievement yet?
It's a tie.  I was nominated for Best Actor in The Golden Horse Awards.  I was the first one from Singapore.  And the other would be winning the Best Actor Award, 5 times over 5 years, at the Asian Television Awards

Q9. Are you currently working on/planning to work on any new projects? Share with us! :)
I have a few projects lined up in 2014.
Chingay Parade Hosting
Makan Places, the food hunt variety show.
A PCK show for Toggle.
A movie (in discussion stage now as i write this)
Singapore Day Concert in London
KNockout Show for OKTO channel
National Day Parade (this would be my 19th time)
A Musical (in discussion)
A Gospel Album (hopefully to be released year end)
A telemovie (to be directed and written by me)

Q10. Who is your favourite local actor/actress you've collaborated with?
There are a few and I am glad it's such because that means I can work with quite a few of them very well.  People like Mark Lee, Adrian Pang, Pierre Png, Lim Kay Siu, Swee Lin, Bryan Wong, George Young, Sheikh Haikel, Zachary Moselle, Timothy Nga, Siva, Alaric Tay, Chua Enlai. Think there are some more but my brain is freezing up.
Despite his immense popularity amongst Singaporeans, we are very amazed at Gurmit Singh's humble and down-to-earth disposition that is seen through his answers. His likeable personality and many talents make us truly proud to have him as a local artiste for us to call our own.

Do look out for Gurmit Singh as he embarks on his future works, and follow us on our Twitter account, as well as our Facebook account for more exclusive interviews of other local artistes that are to come!

Also, you can find Gurmit Singh on Twitter at @gurmitgurmit! Once again, thank you very much Mr. Gurmit Singh, we wish you all the best for your upcoming projects :)

The Spotlight Project Team

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