Sargun Mehta and Gurnam Bhullar talk about their latest 'Surkhi Bindi'

Mona

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Sargun Mehta frequents the city she grew up in, but her Tuesday appearance in Chandigarh was different. This time, clad in a pretty suit and dupatta, it was her bindi that stole the show.

Expect the leading lady of Pollywood to be bindaas, as always. She tells the waiting crowd, “In the film, Surkhi Bindi, I did not wear it, so I thought let me don one for the promotions at least!”

A breeze of positivity, Sargun is only too happy to share it all. The film is about a girl, Rano, who dreams of an NRI groom. Interestingly enough, contrary to many Punjabis, who aspire to settle abroad, this film’s hero, Gurnam Bhullar, is only the opposite. “Mainu hamesha hi dar si ki keite mere mape mainu nankyan de na chad dan jo bahar si (I was scared all through my childhood that my parents would leave me with maternal grandparents who were settled abroad).”

The film written by Rupinder Inderjit is directed by Jagdeep Sidhu. And among the lot, it’s the director who is calm and composed, the rest all anxious. “I feel like a farmer whose produce is up in the mandi for sale,” says Gurnam. However, one thing the all four agree on – that the shooting was a breeze. 

“I am very adaptable, but still I had reservations on how would it go with Gurnam for he seems shy and reserved,” says Sargun, adding that, “The shooting was fun. We played Ludo for hours and for this once, no one ever asked about the pack-up.”

Surkhi Bindi – that translates into lipstick and bindi – is an essential part of the plot which is about fighting for one’s dreams. “I like getting dolled up but as much as the character demands, beyond a time it gets annoying,” admits Sargun, who finds herself pretty similar to Rano that she plays, fiery, feisty, reaching out for her dreams. “Only, nobody can handle Rano’s anger, I do get worked up but not to that extent,” she says. 

Real is as precious as reel, and Sargun is only too glad to have a doting husband in actor Ravi Dubey, who is out to do anything in his power to keep his ladylove happy. For now, Ravi’s mind is preoccupied with the thought of how to plan Sargun’s birthday that falls in September and she is not giving any hint. “I have never been this confused about my birthday as this time. Let August 30 comes first, then we shall see,” she smiles. Well, it’s Surkhi Bindi that hits the screens on August 30...

Punjab of their dreams

While Surkhi Bindi speaks of Canada da supna (Canada dreams), we ask this team if they have any dreams for Punjab. “If only we would replicate Canada in Punjab,” says its writer Rupinder Inderjit, “The wide roads, the super infrastructure—after all, the hardworking Punjabis do deserve this and more.” 

A healthy, happy, pesticide and drug-free Punjab is on director Jagdeep Sidhu’s wish-list. Gurnam Bhullar would rather have the youth of state to stay put and work for the betterment of Punjab. “We have the talent. Why don’t we make our film and music grow to an envious height,” he questions. 

The pretty damsel is though living her dream. “When I accepted a Punjabi film over my telly career, everybody warned me against it. And, now everyone speaks so high about the Punjabi film industry. That’s my dream for Punjab, to make our industry great!”

Singing a difficult tune

Gurnam Bhullar plays the husband of Sargun Mehta in Surkhi Bindi. But acting is not all that he’s restricted to in this one. There are six songs in the film, all six are sung and composed by him, two are even written by him. “I am very picky about my music. And, having worked that hard on the music, I did not have the heart to give them to anyone else,” he shares earnestly.