Celebrating 10 years of Munde UK De: Punjabi Mania celebrates a decade of super-hit Punjabi movie titled ‘Munde UK De’.

On this day in 2009, legendary director Manmohan Singh gave the Punjabi film industry another of his quintessential NRI-based family Punjabi movie. Titled 'Munde UK De', the movie went on to be converted into a franchise in 2014, thus becoming one of the earlier Punjabi movies to get a sequel.

In what was actor Jimmy Sheirgill's fourth Punjabi movie, it was the first time that he and actress Neeru Bajwa were paired opposite each other. Till date, the successful duo has been part of a total of four Punjabi movies.

Among one of the highlights of the movie was the acting debut of singer Amrinder Gill. At the time, it might have seemed a case of another Punjabi singer transforming into an actor. However, the transformation which happened a decade ago has given the Punjabi industry one of its most successful actors.

Apart from the trio, the movie witnessed Gurpreet Ghuggi, Rana Ranbir, Khushboo Grewal, Arun Bali, Deep Dhillon, Akshita Sharma, Seema Kaushal, Sunita Dhir, Binnu Dhillon and Teenu Sharma playing titular roles in it.

[caption id="attachment_94351" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Jimmy Sheirgill and Neeru Bajwa during a sequence.[/caption]

 

Predominantly a love story, Munde UK De started with the return (from UK) of Gurdit Singh's (Arun Bali) grandson named Roop (Jimmy Sheirgill) to India alongside his friend named Dilpreet Singh aka DJ (Gurpreet Ghuggi). Upon his arrival in India, Roop falls for Reet Brar (Neeru Bajwa) but the couple faces several problems in their journey ahead.

Munde UK De was produced by Kamal Mukut and Manmohan Singh under the banners of Mukutwalas and Punj-Aab Movie International. The movie had received plentiful critical and commercial accolades in both India and overseas.

Celebrating 10 years of Munde UK De

On the occasion of Munde UK De completing 10 years, we interviewed Gurpreet Ghuggi, Rana Ranbir and Khushboo Grewal asking them some common as well as some questions related to their respective parts in the movie.

Ghuggi, who had played DJ in the movie, was asked about his unusual getup and accent and willingness to experiment with such a noteworthy role. "DJ was a very different character. I believe it was the first character which had built a connect between Indian and overseas children.

"I was pretty sure about the getup. In some way or the other, people had seen these funky characters in foreign countries. People in Punjab understood that such NRIs are trendy and loud. I knew that people would like it. In fact, I was surprised to see how well people received the character. The character travels with my name till date," Ghuggi was quoted as saying.

[caption id="attachment_94353" align="aligncenter" width="573"] Gurpreet Ghuggi as DJ.[/caption]

 

Other than playing the role of Khoji in the movie, Rana Ranbir had also been introduced as a writer. Being asked about writing atypical yet comic dialogues for DJ, Rana disclosed how he always had that accent in his mind. "Munde UK De was my first film as a dialogue writer. I had worked with Sardar Manmohan Singh Ji in 'Dil Apna Punjabi' previously. He had asked me to write the dialogues of the movie.

"We had zeroed in on such an accent [used by DJ]. I had been to England earlier and noticed this accent. It always remained in my mind. I had used it myself several times in my plays. When I discussed the same with Manmohan Singh Ji, he liked it. Moreover, Gurpreet Ghuggi played the role exceptionally well," Rana said.

Apart from Amrinder Gill, Khushboo Grewal had also made her acting debut in the movie. Playing the role of Candy in Munde UK De, Grewal went on to become part of other successful Punjabi movies such as 'Carry On Jatta' and 'Bhaji in Problem'. Having made her debut under Manmohan Singh, Grewal was wax lyrical about her first director.

"Mann Ji [Manmohan Singh] was so calm and composed. Out of the directors which I've worked with, he is the only one in the Punjabi industry whose films used to get over before the scheduled time. There is no chaos on his set. If an actor needs time, he is ready to provide it. He never forces the actors to complete a scene without preparation," Grewal mentioned.

Most memorable moment?

Gurpreet Ghuggi - As DJ, whenever I used to perform, my co-artists used to laugh like anything. While the same ended up becoming a problem during the shoot, it is also a fond memory. People tell us about laughing in the cinema halls, I haven't seen actors laughing so much on a set.

Rana Ranbir - It was a wonderful experience. As I said, it was the first time for me as a writer on a set. Earlier, I used to be present only as an actor. It was a different experience altogether with respect to on the spot improvisations. Have learnt a lot from Manmohan Singh Ji. He has given so many new things to our cinema.

Khushboo Grewal - The shooting had happened in winters. My most memorable moment is sitting outside our vanity vans and eating peanuts. On my first day of the shoot, I asked Mann Ji to order peanuts. On the second day, I asked Gurpreet Ghuggi Ji the same. On the third day, both came to me together and joked with me with respect to eating peanuts.

It was such a memorable time. Mann Ji would tell the caterer [Harpal, she even remembers the name] that beti nu puch lao ki khana ae [ask her what she wants to eat]?

If given an opportunity to make one change in the movie after 10 years, what would it be?

Gurpreet Ghuggi - If I change anything from my character or the movie, I think I might spoil it. We had worked so hard on everything, I don't think I will change anything. If I get an opportunity, I would love to deliver another such performance.

Rana Ranbir - I think the character that I played wasn't a very powerful character. I ended up writing it as a weak character. I would like to edit it and write it in a better manner.

Khushboo Grewal - [Any change to the movie in 2019] Not really. Mann Ji has been a progressive director. Always ahead of his time. You can watch 'Jee Aayaan Nu' even now and it will look fresh.

If, at all, I had to change something about my character, I would change the costumes and the make-up. Back in the day, girls used to do a lot of make-up. However, less is more these days.

[caption id="attachment_94349" align="aligncenter" width="640"] (L to R) Jimmy Sheirgill, Khushboo Grewal and Gurpreet Ghuggi in a scene from 'Munde UK De'.[/caption]

 

Did you know?

1) Gurpreet Ghuggi's attire and look was so appreciated overseas that a telecom company started selling calling cards with his photo on them.

2) Having visited Manmohan Singh's office, Khushboo Grewal failed to recognize the ace director despite talking to him at length. Under the impression that someone would introduce her to Manmohan Singh, Grewal eventually realized that the person she is in conversation with is Manmohan Singh himself.

She didn't hesitate from admitting that it was an extremely embarrassing moment for a new actress visiting a renowned director for the first time. However, it was during the same meeting with Grewal that Manmohan Singh said, "Mainu meri Candy mil gayi ae [I have found my Candy]," she recollected funnily.

3) None out of the three actors remembered that Munde UK De has completed 10 years today!