Love conquers all

Mona

Monday afternoon saw some stars pour down in Chandigarh, while monsoon continued to play truant! Evergreen actor Raj Babbar, music sensation Guru Randhawa, Mirzapur’s Madhuri aka Isha Talwar, along with their director Rajiv Dhingra, and producer Anirudh Mohta, launched the teaser of their upcoming Punjabi film Shahkot at a city mall.

A Jatinder Shah musical that says the story of Punjab — on both sides of the border — the film marks the comeback to Pollywood for Raj Babbar. Seen in the role of a father, he led the team with fatherly care, making sure the young ones took the limelight as he gently nudged them from behind.

Interestingly, the film is backed by a Marwari man! “All I can say is that a Marwari businessman never takes a raw deal, so here we are with a film that is bound to do well,” says Mohta. While Guru Randhawa has done a Hindi film, Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay, before, he counts Shahkot as his debut for this was shot before. “Many people reached out to me saying that I look good and sing well, so I should become a hero but I took my time to face the camera,” says the Tenu Suit Suit Karda hitmaker. “Wherever I go, I represent Punjab. Even in Bollywood, I sing Punjabi numbers and try representing our culture. And Shahkot is a beautiful love story,” says the singer-actor, who has to his credit major hits like Patola, High Rated Gabru, Morni Banke and Lagdi Lahore Di.

In another Punjabi story of chasing dreams abroad, Guru plays Iqbal, who falls in love with a woman from Pakistan. His love interest is played by Isha Talwar, the ‘prodigal’ Punjabi girl who returns home after doing Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema, along with some hit web shows. “I wish my parents had spoken some Punjabi while I was growing up; it’s only here that I learnt to be comfortable with my mother tongue,” says the Mumbai girl, who also dubbed for the film. “I really like to give my best, learning Punjabi on home turf is remarkable, I am looking forward more roles here,’ she beams.

Joined by other cast members — Gurshabad Singh, Manpreet Singh, better known by his stage name Comic Singh, Seema Kaushal and Neha Dyal — there was laughter, some tears and hope for the film to do well, since the mike at the conference didn’t! Comic Singh had everyone in splits as his night-long preparation for the interview was curtailed at a question or two; Neha got emotional on being given love and respect by Randhawa, who is admired by millions. Comic Singh making a film debut with this one and his fans are intrigued about his role. He shares, “When I told my family that I got a film, they were happy. Knowing that I play a naukar, they were happier. They were like, ‘how wonderful, no money to be spent on make-up, and no acting prep either’.”

The director, and also the writer Rajiv Dhingra, who has to his credit the film Love Punjab and celebrity show Comedy Nights With Kapil, considers having Raj Babbar on board as an honour. “The film shows how Indians trying to cross the border were taken through the Greece route, but on being caught were transferred to Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, to be exchanged as prisoners of war. But the narrative charts a fictional route, making mohabbat its motto,” he says.

(The film hits the screens on October 4)

Success has only made me humble: Raj Babbar

Raj Babbar, who faced the camera for the first time in Chann Pardesi in 1980, maintains his love for Punjabi cinema. In the beginning of his career, he did one Punjabi film every year, playing the romantic lead or the main protagonist. Marhi Da Deeva, Long Da Lishkara, Mahual Theek Hai and Yaaran Naal Baharan, to name a few. “Listening to the story, plenty of soulful songs and having Guru Randhawa on board, I had to do Shahkot,” says the actor-politician, who on being asked if he prefers one over the other, stoically says, “Cine–maa gave me identity, is closer to my heart and always would be.” He recalls doing Chann Pardesi, “It was experimental cinema – people from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, got together to do something. It was Manmohan Singh’s first film as a cinematographer; Amrish Puri, Om Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and I got together for this project.” Over the decades, he is happy that Punjabi films have earned global recognition. Being the face of immortal songs, including Hothon Se Chhulo Tum, Beete Huye Lamhon Ki Kasak, among others, Raj Babbar says as an actor and being in public life, the only important thing for him is to stay grounded. “Love of the audience can make you a star, but those who lose their head over stardom don’t take long to fall flat. When people still talk of Nikaah, Prem Geet and Aaj Ki Awaaz, it makes me feel grateful.” An alumnus of National School of Drama, we ask him if an actor can be taught? “Kalakar ko tarasha ja sakta hai. Else we are all actors, living our respective roles in life,” he says.