Partition politics to come alive on screen

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 4

Upcoming Punjabi film, ‘Mitti Na Pharol Jogiya’ is a historical drama which shows the impact of post Indo-Pak partition politics which had a huge impact on many families on both sides of the border. This was stated by the cast of the film which visited Bathinda today as part of a promotional tour for the film. While the film has been produced by Ram Sidhu, Avtar Singh is credited with the story, screenplay and direction of the film.

The cast of the film includes Amann Grewal, Japtej Singh, Rupinder Rupi, Sanju Solanki, Razia Sukhbir, Damanpreet and Navdeep Kaler.

Talking about the experience of making the film, Ram Sidhu stated that the cast and crew of the film were hoping for its success as the film had broken away from the comedy-romantic routine in Punjabi films. He added that the audience is eager to see a change in the film industry and the team behind ‘Mitti Na pharol Jogiya’ has worked hard towards bringing about that change.

Young actor Japtej, who made a mark in Bollywood with his role of young Milkha Singh in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s film ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, also shared his experience of working in a Punjabi film. He said, “Being the youngest actor on the set, I was the most pampered. Since I am just a learner, this film gave me a lot to note down in my acting lessons. During ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Farhan Akhtar were my mentors and this time, I took notes from Anurag Basu and my director Avtar Singh. The situation sounds like a first standard school student learning from top-grade university professors.”

Kartar Cheema said, “The era which we created for the film was very close to the reality. We literally lived history while shooting for the film. I bet the audience will love this film as everyone has worked really hard.”

Amann Grewal, the leading lady of the film added that she enjoyed this break from regular masala films. She said, “This film would certainly be a milestone in my career and it also made me learn newer things. It was totally a different experience working in this film. I think Punjabi cinema is looking forward to a new era of films where in a different set of stories will become the protagonist.”