Back to the roots

Gurnaaz Kaur

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‘Khed kismet kehd di hai te khadari asi ban jande aa is one striking dialogue from the powerful trailer of upcoming Punjabi film Khadari. Starring Gurnam Bhullar, Kartar Cheema and Surbhi Jyoti in the lead roles, this action drama seems special. As Gurnam explains, “It doesn’t have your usual stunts and fights; it stays true to the roots of Punjab. It depicts kushti, a sport that most Punjabis in villages play even today. Another strong point of the film is how every character is sketched so well.”

Gurnam, who has made a place in the industry with his comic and romantic roles, also emphasises that action was a genre long-pending on his to-do list. “I couldn’t have asked for a better story to check that box.”

Opposite choices

Kartar Cheema plays Gurnam’s elder brother in the film and as the trailer shows, he essays the role of a gangster. We get a glimpse of the conflict these two brothers live through because of the opposite choices they make in life. Yet, at the core of it, they live and die for each other. “It’s a very motivational character, even though I play a gangster.”

The trailer packs some very hearty visuals, a fair share of twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of the seat, but suddenly it shows the death of Kartar’s character. And you end up thinking it was more like revealing the climax. However, both Kartar and Gurnam think otherwise. For Kartar, that scene is integral to the trailer, but, “That’s not revealing too much. It’s just the start of the whole story, quite honestly. What transpires before the death and what follows, that will surprise the audience.” While Gurnam says, “If you think trailer breaks the suspense, then I will just let out one more little detail — you will remain engaged till the last scene.”

Hard labour

As these two on-screen brothers are gung-ho about Khadari, Surbhi (Gurnam’s love interest), who plays a kho-kho player in the movie, can’t wait for its release. “It was like homecoming for me. I loved the script and my role in it. It’s not the typical heroine where I just have to wear pretty suits and flip my hair. Not that I wouldn’t do it, I would love it and it is natural to every girl! But to do something different is always more fun. I essay a kho-kho player and my look is really simple.”

Each actor had to prepare for their characters for months before the shoot began. If Gurnam and Kartar learnt wrestling, Surbhi trained in kho-kho. “In the scorching sun of June, we delivered our scenes as sportspersons. That was a test of strength for each one of us,” says Surbhi. Gurnam laughs, “So, you see, we have really given our blood and sweat to the film.”

Gurnam, who recently got married, talks about devoting four months to the preparation of the film, so we quickly sneak in a question regarding what his wife thinks about the time that each role requires. With a smile, Gurnam says, “She is a practising doctor and is very supportive of my profession. We both understand the requirements of our jobs. Our bond is that of friends who love to see each other grow.”

Back to the film, Gurnam, Kartar and Surbhi insist that Khadari will be a treat to watch. “It’s a story of Punjab with a great blend of action, romance, drama and emotion. It has everything. But the USP is how it captures the journey of all the characters.”