‘Bambukat’ highlights social stereotypes and biases based on appearances

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 27

Being a part of the transition of Punjabi cinema, the younger breed of Punjabi actors is not afraid to experiment and go ‘real’ on reel. One such actor is Ammy Virk, who has already impressed the audience in his previous outings “Angrej” and “Ardaas”. This time, he dons a desi avatar in his upcoming film “Bambukat”, playing a simple villager who tries all the tricks in his hat to possess a bambukat (a motorbike), that symbolises status and respect in a society where assets outweigh honesty.

And giving him some competition on screen is the versatile Binnu Dhillon. Together, they bring a story of two men pitted against each other in a game of one-upmanship. “Bambukat” is a story highlighting the social stereotypes and biases based on money, skin colour and outer appearances. The script is good and the story is relatable, and kept simple. But it has some strong themes. Two sisters, one born with a darker skin tone and the other fair, are married accordingly to a farmer and a government officer. The difference between their lifestyles and their own family’s biases results in some life-changing twists for the two couples. And at the centre of it all is a ‘bambukat’, said Virk, who was in the city along with Binnu Dhillon for the promotion of the film.

Written by Jass Grewal, the film releases on July 29 and has been directed by none other than Pankaj Batra. Helmed by the production team that tasted commercial and critical success with “Angrej” and “Love Punjab”, the romantic comedy has been produced by Karaj Gill and Amiek Virk. The film stars Virk, Dhillon, Sardar Sohi, Karamjit Anmol, Simmi Chahal, Sheetal Thakur, Hobby Dhaliwal and Nirmal Rishi.

The singer-turned-actor, who has played desi roles on the screen till date, said that playing a villager came naturally to him. “Any film which makes me play myself on the screen comes easy for me. The film is the story of a village and so is my life. As a Punjabi, I am really proud of growing up in the streets of Punjab and this film is also steeped in that atmosphere.” Dhillon, one of the most profitable actors in the Punjabi entertainment industry, too, is always game for satires, his forte. “Dialogues are a USP of “Bambukat”. There is no over-the-top, loud comedy in the film, but there are subtle moments of reality that people will connect with. It was really fun to work on this project and I look forward to a milestone in my career with this flick,” he said. Despite an impressive line-up, the team maintained that “Bambukat’s” success on the box office would depend on its script. “A healthy script gives you some kind of motion and motivation and you keep going with the words framing the film. In the end, a beautiful script gives you a beautiful film. “Bambukat” is one such example. The trailer has got an overwhelming response and the film is being talked about all over,” said director Pankaj.

The film was shot in Ferozpur and the schedule continued for 40 days.