Meet Kapil, the producer

Amarjot Kaur

The ‘king of comedy’ Kapil Sharma, who has been rowing his boat in the film and television industry through a sea of controversies, has expanded his kingdom to Punjabi films with Son of Manjit Singh. Starring seasoned actor and former politician Gurpreet Ghuggi in the lead role, the film has been produced by Kapil Sharma in association with Sumeet Singh of Saga Music.

A series of compelling scenes stitched together in the three-minute trailer highlight the film’s story and its subject in Chandigarh on Tuesday. 

Emotional ride

Son of Manjit Singh is the tale of a middle-class father asserting his career choices on his son. While Manjit Singh, played by Gurpreet Ghuggi, wants his boy to take up investment banking, debutant Damanpreet Singh, Ghuggi’s on-screen son, is a natural at cricket and wants to make a career in the sports.  

Cinema matters

While Punjabi cinema is flirting with meaningful subjects, it mostly cashes on formula-driven, comedy films. “The problem with Punjab’s moviemakers is that they have a herd mentality. It’s not as if people don’t enjoy watching good cinema; people loved Ardaas,” opines Kapil.  

Production duty

Director Vikram Grover shares the film’s idea was conceived during the shooting of Vaisakhi List. Ghuggi adds, “Though Vikram, who was my student, has worked as an assistant director on several films, I advised him to direct a film that has a good story.” He compliments Kapil’s generosity too. “My younger brother here had made a lot of money, so I requested him to produce this film. Without hearing the script, he agreed. He was teary-eyed after hearing the story,” he says. 

Pressure of education 

Kapil points to reports of children committing suicides each year after results are declared. “This film tries to shed light on the education system of our country. A lot of it also has to do with the ‘kitty party’ culture where elders compare their children’s results, as if marks were a status symbol,” he says.  

(The film will be releasing on October 12)