Reema Nagra is all set to enter the Punjabi Cinema Industry but with a Canadian touch. Punjabi Mania interviewed her recently about her life and her upcoming movie “Work Weather Wife”.
Q: What was your life like growing up?
Life was wonderful growing up. I was born and raised in a small town in British Columbia, Canada. I spent hours playing outside growing up, loved to watch action movies and play different characters in movies I watched. I excelled in school and later went on to play Varsity University Basketball. I decided to choose basketball over soccer. I graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Kinesiology Degree and a Bachelor of Education Degree.
Q: What inspired you to become an actor? Why do you want to act in films?
I wanted to try something different where I could express myself through the eyes of different characters. Acting is mental meditation for me, it gives me complete satisfaction in knowing that somewhere through my expression someone in the world will be affected by my performance, whether it be a feel good experience, or a motivating experience, or a realization. Acting in film is a huge canvas to send an overall message and connect with the audience. I’ve always been fascinated with behaviour and the human mind, going through and becoming a character puts myself in the shoes of another. It gives me an opportunity to deeply understand different types of people and why they do things the way they do, what challenges they face, what are their own ups and downs, an life purpose. Film also allows me to experience the different realities of life, and to appreciate the beauty in this world. I’ve always loved the creative expression. Growing up I did get involved in theatre in highschoolbut left that fast as it was not accepted at that time in my family.
Q: How do you keep yourself fit through your busy schedule?
Keeping fit is a lifestyle, its about maintaining a balance between your mind body and soul and to feed those with the most organice natural things possible. Physical activity is important and keep up with my weightraining and cardio schedules, make it an appointment and to always complete the task no matter what. Itrest of my life.
Q: If you weren’t an actor what would you be?
Well I journeyed through my profession as a Highschool teacher, Fitness/Swimming instructor,, coach, and entrepeneur before becoming a producer/actor. I would be doing something that is moving my community forward affecting people in a positive manner, and building the foundation of our coming generations. I couldn’t see myself as anything else other than an actor or involved in film/televison in some way, as I have graduated and realized that media is the biggest canvas to move masses of people and to be a postive role model in todays society.
Q: Tell us about your film experience?
My film experience involves first training under a few coaches in Vancouver, to doing some work in local productions both tv and film. I watched myself on TV and felt empowered, I figured I canabsolutely accomplish more, and then shortly diving into an audition that landed me a lead role in this feature film. Due to my extensive business background I right away signed and carried out tasks as an associate producer. Since then will be acting as a lead role in another punjabi feature film called “The Blackmail” and will be doing some unconfirmed work in hollywood, and national television productions.
Q: How do you manage to balance your workload of the entire creative process?
It takes a lot of homework to get the ultimate performance in the role you are playing. Life also has basic duties like physical and mental health, family, relationships.
Q: Why did you decide to act in Work Weather Wife? When will it be releasing?
First of all I was working hard to get my debut film to start my career as an actor. When I came across this script I understood right away that this film was the start of meaningful cinema in punjabi. I believe that all the work I do shoud provide the commercial and artistic value and the deeper messages that open new senses for people. This film brought me back to my roots, I love my punjabi culture and at the same time wanted to express what I grew up in, the mixed cultural values of growing up as a punjabi girl in a western world. This film is set to release in October 2014.
Q: Tell us about the work you did in Work Weather Wife?
Well I played an Indo- Canadian Female in her mid 20’s who has immigrated to Canada and has spent about 4 years in the western culture. She is well educated from India, was married young, her shade was negative throughout the film but does end in a positive wrap. She lives in her fantasy world and her fantasies get her trapped in some situations that she is forced to take a hard look at her life and how her decisions have affected her family around her. She has a weakness for romance, has an obsession for expensive accessories and dreams of being a bollywood movie star. It was very interesting to go through her realizations and changes throughout the film. I was involved with the behind scenes creative process which gave me an overall deeper understanding of how to covey a beautiful storyline from paper to visual and auditory projection.
Q: What is your most memorable moment of your acting career so far?
My most memorable moment would be every thing that has to do with this film. I realized that to make a film a success there is more to it than meets the eye.
Q: What is your favourite food?
Punjabi food is Saag and Maki Roti
Western food is ofcourse Pizza
Q: Who is your favourite actor in Punjabi?
I actually can’t think of any at the moment
Q: In Hindi?
Saira Banu, Sharmila Tagor, Asha Parekh, Naseeruddin Shah
