Meet the banjarans

Mona

Trust Punjabis to do things differently. When Bollywood is celebrating Independence Day with Gold and Satyameva Jayate, Pollywood is serving Dakuaan Da Munda and Mr & Mrs 420 Returns. Not really the titles that evoke national pride but none the less are full on fervour and laughter.

The sequel to Mr & Mrs 420 has new faces. And this time it’s two banjarans – Ganga and Radha – set to steal your heart. A fair daughter to a dark mother – if the trailer has left you confused too, well, there is more.

Director Ksshitij Chaudhary and writer Naresh Kathuria waited three years for the script but they admit that making Jassie Gill and Karamjit Anmol play women was even tougher. “This was something I never thought I could ever pull off,” admits Karamjit who buckled under the pressure when he was told that unless he said yes the film would never roll. His only condition, make this woman a banjaran. “I pick up characters from real to model my reel characters. From my childhood, I have a strong memory of a banjaran who would come to my village and Ganga is based on her mannerisms.”

Ranjit Bawa plays the lead and his challenge was to portray a nashedi. “I was nervous on day one but as I was told to keep low energy, keep limbs loose, I got into the groove.” If you thought the film’s reception is giving him any anxiety, he was remarkably cool, “I try everything that comes my way with my best effort,” says an unassuming singer-actor who is caught up with films and shows till August next. 

How about some ‘me’ time? “I don’t need any. Not that I can anymore go out and have tea/coffee. Work is the best.”

Seconds Karamjit, who also has a score of films and shows in his hands. Mr & Mrs 420 Returns did pose him challenges but he is all for women and the harder life they lead even before he wore a ghaghra choli for the role. “I see women in my family and how tough is their life as compared to men who can very well do with just 8-10 hours of work.” This actor-singer, who came into profession for there was no other source of employment for him, credits Daler Mehendi and Honey Singh to have pulled the urban crowd to Punjabi music and later films. “I distinctly remember how Harbhajan Mann ji proudly shared that Jee Aayan Nu was releasing 22 prints, today our films fetch worldwide release and its Harbhajan Mann and Manmohan Singh ji who gave direction to our industry.”

Beaming at the rousing response to the trailer were director and writer who claim new cast has added freshness to the film. Also, the film’s producer, Rrupaali Gupta, who also debuts in acting with this one promises double the fun, “A light hearted comedy, it’s an entertainer to the core.”

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