Amritsar actor gets award for his digital flick Jee Janab

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 20

City-based actor Gurinder Makana has received the best actor award at the recently held Digital Awards and Film Festival organised by a popular OTT platform. Makana won the Viewers Choice Best Actor trophy for his film Jee Janab, a satire on the functioning of the Punjab Police.

Makana, who has previously been part of several Punjabi films, was glad that finally quality content and stories from the Punjabi entertainment industry have found a growing acceptance on digital platforms.

“It is amazing that 1 hour to 45 minutes-long short films are getting popularity as well as appreciation from the audience and critics. Jee Janab is a satire film where I played the character of a police officer. It dealt with the inside struggles and challenges of the police force that is trying to change its image,” he added.

Another young actor from the region, Narjeet Singh, who hails from Gurdaspur, was nominated as Best Actor Debut Male and Best Actor Supporting Male. Narjeet was part of the powerful and inspirational film Ranjit Singh, starring Surlie Gautam. It was made by Jasraj Singh Bhatti.

“The story of the film was about a girl who becomes the first female ambulance driver of Punjab. The struggles of a single woman and challenges of gender-based society were highlighted. I played the role of her friend and biggest support throughout her journey in the film,” said Narjeet.

With the commercial Punjabi entertainment industry becoming repetitive and in desperate need of innovative scrpits, both actors feel that digital platforms are breaking the routine and coming up with fresh, inspiring stories and content.

“Digital platforms give a room for experimentation and innovation without the fear of commercial failure. The films are being made on smaller budgets, but with good production standards and require almost no marketing,” said Makana. Narjeet has been part of Punjabi films such as Vadhiayan Ji Vadhiayan with Binnu Dhillon and will soon be seen in more digital films, including one with the Gippy Grewal’s production house.

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