His first film released in October 2012 and was a moderate HIT. He is a talented film-maker, and it showed in his first film. In this 2 Part series Punjabi Mania speaks to Director Sagar S. Sharma about various phases of his life – Early and Initial Struggle Days, His First film and Breakthrough in Punjabi Cinema, And the present phase a.k.a. ‘Post Burrraahh…’ phase.

Sagar spoke his heart out in this exclusive interview to Punjabi Mania.

Q – An easy Question to start with. Tell us about your background.

-> I belong to a very simple and humble background. I am basically from Moga and i was very passionate about filmmaking since my childhood days. I used to see each and every new film which released and people around me always used to ask that weather they should go for the film or not and i always recommend them a film on the basis of who is the director of the film and not the actor, which is a usual case. Talking about my family background, my father is an Astrologer and has supported and backed up each decision of mine. When i told him that i want to be a director he was happy to let me go and start my struggle in Mumbai.

Q – How was the struggle period like? Did it pass on easily or you had to go through some tough time?

-> You see, struggle period is something which is not at all easy for anyone. It is a real test of character where you have to face certain rejections and certain things do not go your way. But i was lucky to have worked with some big names in the industry. Guddu Dhanoa ji realised my potential and i assisted various projects of his during my course of struggle.

Q – Tell us the projects you have worked on before doing your first film as a director.

-> Back in Mumbai i assisted Guddu Dhanoa ji on his 5 projects namely Hawa, Kismat, Sheesha, Big Brother and Lion of Punjab. Some big names from the industry worked in these films like Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Priyanka Chopra, Diljit Dosanjh, Tabu, Danny Denzongpa and many more. Also i was the Associate Director for Yaar Anmulle.

Q – When did you realise that you wanted to make your debut with a Punjabi film?

-> First of all, i am myself a Punjabi and I always had at the back of my mind that whenever i will become a director i will make a Punjabi film sooner or later. When we were working on Lion of Punjab i realised the potential of Punjabi Cinema and made up my mind that this is what i am here to do. I know my mother tongue much better and i was more comfortable doing a film in Punjabi. So this is how i made up my mind on making my debut with a Punjabi film.

Q – Well that’s great! Now how did ‘Burrraahh’ happen.

-> During the days of Yaar Anmulle i met Deep Joshi who had an idea of making a film based on Bhangra. I liked that idea but at the back of mind i had the feeling that audience may not accept a bhangra film. Also masala films were working big time and a few cultural films had flopped at the box office. Few days later, i met the producers who later produced Burrraahh, They had an idea of making a boxing based film. Then i struck an idea and asked them to give me a few days time. I caught hold of Deep Joshi and discussed an idea of a film which is at the same time funny as well as promotes culture. Later on when we met our producers and narrated them the idea, they liked it and this is how Burrraahh happened.

Q – Burrraahh was a film which largely spoke of our dying Punjabi Culture. How can we preserve our own Punjabi Culture?

-> You see people always talk about culture, but none of them are ready to take the initiative and promote culture. I made a film on a totally different concept and it worked well with the audience. Audience will accept films based on culture but you have to be confident about your own product and work hard on it. Also if your script is good then nobody can stop your film from being accepted by the audience. If i speak about culture, we have many issues in Punjab itself. If each year even if we make 6-8 films on culture then i am sure we will never fell short of ideas. Also we have a great and prospering history of Punjab which has never been touched upon in Punjabi films. We can explore our own history to make good films. Media should also take up the initiative of promoting cultural cinema. I think that Media should promote logical cinema and not only mainstream commercial cinema.