From comedian to romantic lead - Schalk Bezuidenhout shines in 'Soos Pynappel op Pizza'

“Mense!” (People!) - as South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout would say - is serving us some romcom charm in his latest film.

If you’ve been keeping up, you’d know he’s been all over the place lately, from touring with his stand-up comedy across the nation to exploring bizarre careers in the documentary "The World’s Strangest Jobs."

And now, he’s stepping into a romantic lead in "Soos Pynappel op Pizza" (Like Pineapple on a Pizza).

Fans are here for it. Bezuidenhout is known for his quirky, self-deprecating humour, his distinct bushy moustache, and of course, his signature retro-style sweaters. But a romantic lead? Even he wasn’t sure about that.

Speaking to "Lifestyle," he admitted: “It’s new to me, a romcom is a completely different genre. I’ve been in a romcom before as a psychic, so it felt a bit weird to be the lead this time.”

He also didn’t think he had the typical leading man look. “Looks-wise, I don’t feel I am the quintessential romcom guy,” Bezuidenhout said. “It’s usually your traditionally attractive people like Bobby van Jaarsveld or Ryan Reynolds or whatever and I’m not that,” he laughed.

But he took it as a compliment that the director saw something in him to justify putting him in the starring role.

Released on Valentine’s Day, "Soos Pynappel op Pizza" has a lot to do with food - because, as the saying goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Bezuidenhout plays Waldo, a trained chef who finds himself at a culinary retreat where he meets Becca (played by Kate Pinchuck), an Instagram-famous cook with thousands of followers but no professional training.

Her brother dared her to attend the retreat and that’s where things get interesting.

“I wish I could say I really cooked on set but it was all movie magic,” Bezuidenhout admitted. “I basically just sprinkled the micro herbs on top and then it looked like I had made the dish. But I think I did a pretty good job at sprinkling the micro herbs,” he joked.

Bezuidenhout and Pinchuck have been friends for years, which made working together even better. “She is hilarious. I knew she would be great in the film and she is. And because we’re friends, we didn’t need to do any chemistry work for our characters,” he said.

“Also, if you're very comfortable with each other - like we are - you can push the boundaries more because you know this person is fine with it, and if they aren’t, they’re also comfortable enough to just say, ‘Don’t do that.’”

While "Soos Pynappel op Pizza" is a comedy with a bit of cheeky humour, Bezuidenhout wouldn’t have minded if they had gone even raunchier.

“I was quite keen for a raunchy romcom, the kind that has kids at school whispering, ‘Have you seen that movie?’” he said. “You know, the type you watch after your parents go to bed.” But it turns out they kept things a little more PG than "American Pie".

Looking ahead, Bezuidenhout wants to take on more dramatic roles, even a biopic. “I would’ve loved to play Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody,” he said. “But I also think Charlie Chaplin might be a good one for me.”

And honestly, the vision is there - both are physical comedians with expressive faces, a touch of the absurd and an ability to make audiences laugh with just a well-timed look.

Recently, Bezuidenhout also ran the Cape Peninsula Marathon (all 42km of it!), and he compared the experience to being on a film set.

“Pushing through a marathon is easier - if you are fit and prepared, it’s only those last 12km that really challenge you. But a movie set is definitely tougher. It’s long hours, often in uncomfortable and miserable weather conditions for hours.”

Tough gig being a movie star.

Between running marathons, making romcoms and going through personal changes, it’s been a big year for Bezuidenhout. “The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is that if you’re in a year or period with a lot of changes, just slow down. Don’t make irrational decisions. Assess the situation and plan from there.”

And before you assume he has no romantic side, think again. If you’ve seen how much he adored Malanie in the kykNET series "Hotel," you know there’s charm in him.

“The most romantic thing I’ve ever done was during my engagement with my first wife. I booked out an entire restaurant and lured her there under false pretences. When she walked in, expecting a business meeting, the place was empty, and then I ran in and proposed. I don’t think she had any idea I was going to do that.”

So maybe Bezuidenhout is romcom material after all. Whether he’s dropping herbs on a dish or dropping to one knee for a proposal, the man’s got skills and we're here for it.