His words, her moves

Gurnaaz Kaur

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Catchy lyrics, peppy music, heady beats and powerful vocals—that pretty much sums up a Punjabi song. Or, are we forgetting something here? What about those pretty lasses who add sparkle to the entire setting of the song with their looks and the moves? 

Be it Guru Randhawa, Diljit Dosanjh, Hardy Sandhu, Badshah... they all need them for their music videos to click with the masses. They surely are the USP of the Punjabi videos.

As we catch up with some of the glamorous models of Punjabi videos, they tell us what it’s like to be the face of  the biggest non-film music industry in the country. 

Stepping stone

Having participated in a beauty pageant may have got Aarushi Sharma recognition, but it didn’t mean she had to do nothing to get work. Having dreamt of becoming an actor, it is music videos that opened the doors for her to the world of films. After featuring in over 20 videos with singers such as Ammy Virk, Kanwar Chahal, she got a call for Kakaji and High End Yaariyan. 

“Music videos have been a really good experience. It gets you in touch with a lot of people in the industry. ”

Insta-nt fame

She isn’t the only one to have got lucky, Chandigarh girl Aaveera Singh Masson has also been offered films, all thanks to the music videos she has done. “I have been into blogging, so when one of my Insta videos got viral, director Jashan Nanarth contacted me for song Shaandar. Since then, I’ve done videos with Diljit Dosanjh, Gurnam Bhullar, Money Aujla, Raashi Sood, Nishawan Bhullar and Deep Jandu.” 

Almost there

Sonica Bhardwaj is another model-turned-actress who believes Punjabi music videos are a great platform for those who want to enter the film industry. “I haven’t done many videos but even the few that I did, got me noticed. A cameo in Ammy Virk’s Qismat got me so many calls for other videos. I wouldn’t name them, but I know a couple of girls whom I used to meet at these auditions and who are now in movies.”

Meanwhile, there are also those who already have movies in their kitty but still feel tempted to be a part of Punjabi music videos. Among them is Isabelle Leite who had done lead roles in films but chose to be the face of Guru Randhawa’s Lahore. She thinks the two platforms can’t be compared and have their own high points. 

“A common friend told me about Guru’s song and I am glad I accepted it. Punjabi music is doing so well and Lahore has been a hit.” 

On whether she would do more Punjabi videos, Isabelle says, “I am open to opportunities but I also have to be careful about what I choose. It can’t be just any video.”

Great platform

Navneet Kaur gave a go ahead to Jazzy B’s Naag 3 and Mika’s Jogi because these are names that have a standing in the industry. “My experience of these videos was special. It was quick, and quite like a look-book thing. I hadn’t played a hardcore Punjabi in any of my films and through these videos I got to do it.” 

Navneet believes anyone who can act their part well in the three-minute video has a great chance of getting films.

It’s not just about looking good. These divas who add magic in the videos do their homework well. “It’s not like you have to come, stand, smile and it’s done. Even videos require a lot of work and looking pretty is just one of them,” says Aarushi.  

Enter the fan club

And the hard work does get rewarded. Not just with getting millions of views on YouTube or topping the charts on music streaming apps, but also by having their own fan following. “As I have worked on myself to play different characters in these videos, I’ve had growing number of fans who have appreciated my work. I do feel like a star but most fans are from North India. So, now, my focus is to make it world wide,” says a smiling Aaveera who makes sure to stay in touch with all her fans. 

With all the captivating looks, there’s as much creative satisfaction in this job. “My understanding is that any work gives you some sort of audience. The videos did expand my reach,” says Navneet.

The Brazilian beauty, Isabelle, feels happy to have found a friend in Guru Randhawa. “I get a lot of messages and calls for the song and it has surely added to my popularity but most of all it gave me a friend who inspires me. Guru is so professional yet so humble.”

It’s certain that lyrics, vocals, music all are key to the success of a track, but it would only be fair to say that without these pretty faces with perfect figures and killer moves, the success would be incomplete.

gurnaaz@tribunemail.com