Punjabi peg

Neha Saini

Advertisement

Almost all his films draw resonance with Punjab and its cultural and historical influences. Be it the DJ of Rang De Basanti, the adorably idiotic Fancy Gill of Teen Thay Bhai or the recent biopic on Flying Sikh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Punjabi audiences found a familiar element to connect with in his films, apart from the story.

The National Award winning director Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra loves everything Punjabi and feels that Punjab has amazing cinematic potential waiting to be explored. The director is currently busy with his upcoming project Mirziya, a contemporary take on the legendary Punjabi folk tale of Mirza-Sahiba love story and will debut Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan Kapoor.

Rakeysh is also supporting an upcoming Punjabi film Mitti Na Phrool Jogiya, based on the aftermath of Partition. The film is directed by Avtar Singh, who has worked in Barfi as a production head and Anurag Basu as a mentor for the film. Here is a quick chat with the critically and commercially acclaimed filmmaker on the scope of Punjabi films and the need for a change.

Tell us about your association with Mitti Na Pharol Jogiya?

I saw the film because of Japtej, who plays the lead in the film. I have formed a special bond with him after Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. I wanted to see what this talented youngster is doing and I was surprised by his sensitive performance. The film is a fresh take on post-Partition period. The subject is moving and contemporary at the same time.

Punjabi film industry has seen a revival with feel-good cinema, based mostly on commercial principles. What’s the scope for the independent or sensitive cinema?

There is always a scope for improvement, not just in Punjabi, but any film industry. There have been a series of commercially aimed Punjabi films, but there also have been some quality films like Nabar and Punjab 1984. There are a number of film-makers who are looking beyond the commercial aspects and attempting to put their money on line for good films. The change in cinematic beliefs and representation is definitely going to happen.

Bollywood has always been considered the elder brother of regional cinema in India. Isn’t it time for more collaborations between Bollywood and Pollywood to push for that change?

I believe that there is a great talent and potential in regional cinema, whether Punjabi, Telegu, Bengali or else. There definitely has to be a larger vision, more market and resources to make regional films bigger. We need to tell Indian stories to the world, beyond the regional blinkers. As far Punjabi cinema is concerned, Punjab has lot of amazing stories to tell, and my next film Mirziya is about one of them.

What’s the status of Mirziya?

I have completed the shooting for the film. Let’s keep the rest for another day.

neha@tribunemail.com