Connecting with people

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Director Navtej Sandhu is a trendsetter in Punjabi film industry, who started the trend of organising Punjabi film awards. His three short films were showcased at Cannes Film Festival. Sandhu’s first feature film Jamraud, based on the story written by noted author Waryam Singh Sandhu,will be hitting theatres. Amid the lockdown, he has released another 12-minute film, titled Connection. The director shares how the movie is relevant in the present times and throws light on his journey and his upcoming movie Jamraud.

Tell us something about Connection…

The movie has been adapted from a book, Stories of Us, written by Bobby Sachdeva. It revolves around a family that is confined at home because of a Punjab bandh call. Even the internet stops working and thus they have to spend time with each other. We have shown here that the bond that families used to share once doesn’t exist now, and there is a distance. Since, the movie has been released during the lockdown, people can relate to it. The movie was made before the lockdown but is quite relevant today.

Tell us about your journey…

It has been several years since I started, but I have never worked for money. My only motive is to promote Punjabi film industry and contribute towards its growth. I started as a promoter in 1993 and used to organise events of the great singers like Harbhajan Mann, Hans Raj Hans, JasbirJassi and others in Amritsar. It was in 2013, I directed a short movie called Nooran, written by BalwantGargi. People appreciated it and it was first ever Punjabi movie to be showcased at Cannes.

What is your routine in the lockdown? Working on anything?

I have some story ideas which I am working on. I am writing some content too. But my main focus is on my next film Jamraud. I am also meditating a lot these days.

How do you choose your content?

My movies are different because I always choose storieswhich are close to the reality. I don’t believe in making movies based on run-of-the-mill stories. My movies always carry some message for society. I try to raise social issues through my movies.

Where do you see Punjabi film industry today?

Several movies are being made on offbeat topics.Sensible movies are being made. I am glad that we have grown in technical aspects too.