Woman of substance

Mona

A woman standing up against the suppression of society is the story of Needhi Singh, a Punjabi film that stars Kulraj Randhawa in the lead role. The dimpled beauty, who has been part of Bollywood and Pollywood, sure admits that she waiting for a role like this.

“I have been offered a role in almost every Punjabi film that has been released but when I am ready to go beyond my comfort zone, I want my writer and director to push the envelope too,” opens the actor at the poster release of the movie.

Playing Needhi was a physically and emotionally draining experience for Kulraj, “My knees have been bruised and it was not easy to detach myself from the character I have enacted,” confesses the girl. A two-hour affair, the film promises to show some realistic action with the whole paraphernalia of a commercial pot-boiler.

“Women have enjoyed a significant place in Punjabi history and also in cinema, sadly it is lost today,” says Kulraj, who believes that Needhi Singh would restore women to their deserved space in Pollywood.

The motion poster has Gurdas Maan’s voice over; producer Inder Bhandaal and Sumeet Singh are leaving no stone unturned to promote the film. “Revenge sagas have not been explored in Pollywood in recent times. We have made an effort and we want it to reach as many people as possible,” says Sumeet Singh.

Kulraj will soon be debuting as a writer too. Fond of reading non-fiction and parallel lives, her first fiction is going to have metaphysics for a base!

Reality bite

Needhi Singh has been written and directed by Jaivi Dhanda. He started as an actor, but camera beckoned and it was this story of his friend's sister that he wanted to share with people.  "I found a friend in producer Inder Bhandaal and I  am glad the way my story has shaped up," says Jaivi, who is already on to his next project - a Hindi film starring Jimmy Shergill. Why Kulraj as Needhi? "There isn't a better actress who can deliver in the Punjabi industry today. I am glad she accepted. Her performance in the film is superb."

Family anchor

As for Pratyusha Banerjee, Kulraj shares, “Actors’ life is not just glamour, but a struggle with rejections. You get fame early and there comes pressure to live a certain lifestyle as well as deal with financial troubles.” She admits having her share of good and bad phases. In her case her family remained an anchor, “Been in that zone I know what real challenges are, but if you have a solid back you can deal with almost anything. I have been fortunate to have a family that has stood by me always.”

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