Kick on!

Jasmine Singh

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Kavi Raz, Indian- born British actor, writer, director and producer lets go off his rucksack, straightens his back, allows a smile to sit gently on his face… all set for a conversation that will freewheel around his film, experiences, importance of sports, Punjabi cinema and more. 

We start with his film, Barefoot Warriors. A known hockey and football player, sports as a subject was sure the first natural choice. He nods in approval. “Yes kind of.” But what prompted Kavi Raz to take up the topic was an interesting incident that happened during 1948 Olympics. “Many countries dropped out; India participated but lost to France by a margin of 2-1. However, the Indian team put up a great show because of which they got an invitation to take part in 1950 Olympics. However, they couldn’t participate because our players couldn’t play barefoot! So, my film revolves around the person who missed the two penalty corners in the match against France.” 

Punjabi turf

Kavi Raz has thus created a fictional character, Manna Singh, in his 80’s now. “My story is inspired by real incidents, but it is a mix of reality and fiction,” adds the director, who begins shooting in Punjab from Sunday onwards with his crew and actors, Rajpal Yadav, Sean Faris, Yograj Singh and others.

Shooting in Punjab, we wonder whether we should warn him about the not-so-disciplined crews, the pass-the-buck working attitude! He smiles, a smile that says, ‘I know it all.’ “Well, I think I am pretty adaptable, so I will get used to it. In Hollywood, I am used to one person doing a job of 10 others; here, I have to get used to 10 doing one’s job.”

Well, it seems this Hollywood filmmaker-actor has made up his mind. Any actors from the growing and popular Punjabi cinema, “Of course, we have Yograj Singh.”

Sporty spirit 

Kavi Raz’s film comes at a time when Bollywood and Punjabi film industry is dabbling with subjects based on sports. “Yes, I’ve heard many films are being made on sports, which is a good thing. Sports should be made a part of life. Back in India, parents force children to concentrate on academics than sports, but I feel a healthy body can house a healthy mind.” And this comes from a sports player who has an excellent academic record as well. “I used to play both hockey and football, and I was really good in studies and was acting as well,” he shrugs his shoulders; rest is understood.

So, didn’t his friends call him crazy when he expressed his desire to join Hollywood in the mid-70s? “Yes, yes they did, and I also thought if they are calling me crazy, well then let’s prove how crazy I am,” beams Kavi Raz. He went on to become the first South-Asian actor to be signed on as a regular in the TV series St Elsewhere. He also appeared in over 200 plays, and had guest appearance on The A-team, M*A*S*H and Star Trek: The Next Generation. “Though I did watch a lot of Dara Singh films, I have always been inspired by Hollywood actors,” he cannot help saying this. 

In the near future, Hoshiarpur born Ravi Raz would want to open an acting academy here. “Maybe someday,” he starts looking for his rucksack. 

jasmine@tribunemail.com