No one is a Firangi here

Jasmine Singh

Upcoming Hindi film Firangi brings the limelight back on the much-talked about artiste Kapil Sharma. While Kapil seems to open up about the past debacles during the promotions, the rest of the cast, which includes Punjabi actress Monica Gill and popular Punjabi music director Jatinder Shah, have some new things to talk about their first Hindi venture. 

Monica, the Punjabi darling 

She has already been seen in peppy roles opposite Diljit Dosanjh in Ambarsariya and Sardaarji 2. Monica, who is a Miss India USA 2013, makes her Hindi film debut with Firangi, a film that she is really excited about. So, how did this leggy bag the role? “I was finalised for this role after meeting our ace director, Rajiev Dhingra, and going through multiple audition rounds. Unfortunately I cannot speak about my character, but I can say that it was a regal experience to bring her to life.” 

Monica doesn’t want to divulge much about her role, understandable, after all films and hype go hand-in-hand! But there is something that she has no qualms talking about — the comfort in Punjabi films and Hindi films, as also the differences between the two. “Working in Firangi was like escaping into a different world all together. It was shot on a grand scale and it honestly felt like I was transported into the pre-Independence era. There was an entire village built on the banks of a river in Ropar. It was beautiful,” shares Monica, leaving us with the thought that she does like working in Punjabi films as much, otherwise why would we see her in yet another soon-to-be-released Punjabi film, Sat Shri Akaal England.

Produced by Kapil Sharma himself, the film stars the actor in the lead role. Known for his impeccable comedy, Kapil has also been in news lately for various other reasons. Monica can’t help but smile, as she says, “It was amazing to work with Kapil Sharma. He’s very serious about his work but he’s very jovial with the crew and cast. He has extensive theatre experience, so I learnt a lot while trying to match his performance level. Kapil is an excellent actor.” 

Now, here is a beauty who has learnt the art of being politically correct. Lucky you! “I always say that time, destiny and God work together in magical ways,” this is her success mantra. Monica will also be seen in an under-production Punjabi film, Punj Khaab, which will release early next year.

Punjabi badshah

His name figures on the top of the list of successful and prolific music directors in Punjab. Jatinder Shah, a follower of Sai, shares an excellent camaraderie with Gurdas Maan. Shah ji as he called, has given music in over 50 Punjabi films and now he is the solo composer of Firangi. “The film has seven songs; I went to Europe to do the background music. This is a film that took me a year, and I am thankful to actor-producer Kapil Sharma and director Rajiev Dhingra, who gave me a free hand in this project.”

Back in Punjab, it is known that Jatinder does not go around doing PR or even attending movie promotions, but Firangi seems special, since we see him travelling with the cast and crew everywhere. Jatinder Shah laughs, “Oh so it was noticeable. Bollywood music industry has always given music directors lot of credit, here they accompany the crew to the promotions.”

Music for Jatinder Shah is an experience; something that has to be lived for the first time, every time. But is music challenging too. “Firangi   is music was tough; it is a period film, so I had to work between the new and the old.”

The famous music director has already signed up with two big production houses in Bollywood, but he is not leaving Punjab for sure. “This is where my soul lies, this is where my Sai is; I can never leave this mitti.” 

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