It’s the language of love

Mona

If you enjoyed the movie Hindi Medium, chances are that you would be interested in Uda Aida too. Love for one’s mother tongue and keeping up with the Joneses theme for this one, albeit with a Punjabi tadka!

Actors Neeru Bajwa and Tarsem Jassar, director Ksshitij Chaudhary, writer Naresh Kathooria and Rrupali Gupta make one happy team as they got together to promote the film due to release on February 1. Love for the mother tongue and staying rooted to tradition are the overall themes explored in the movie.

Great package

Leading actress of Pollywood Neeru Bajwa came on board just not because the script was wonderful, but the whole package — writer, director, producer and Tarsem Jassar with whom she wanted to work with post Rabb Da Radio – everything fitted the bill. This producer, director is currently looking for a script, “I really love to boss around, so definitely direction is on my mind,” says the lady in all black.

Firmly rooted

Someone challenged Tarsem Jassar to recite Uda Aida and he obliges, “Punjab ch jamme, pinda ch pale te sarkari schoolan to pade, Punjabi nal pyar te command puri hai (born in Punjab, growing up in villages and having studied in government schools, love and command on Punjabi is sure).”

For the current generation not relating well to the language, he levels the blame on the parents, “Parents happily claim that their wards are studying French or Spanish, wish we could all take the same pride in our language.”

Real take

It’s a story picked up from real-life, insists the writer Naresh Kathooria. “When we started in the industry, Punjabi films were looked down upon and the language considered rather ‘uncool’,” he says. Incidents with his own nephew made him weave this family drama that he is rather pleased with.

Happy times

Rrupali Gupta is ecstatic as her another ‘baby’ is ready for release. For those who think it is a man’s world, she makes some correction, “Women are heard well enough in the industry.” The force behind this woman is her hubby dearest, who inspires her no end and her trusted aides —Naresh and Ksshitij.

Good going!

mona@tribunemail.com