Tell us something about your background and film training?
I am basically from Patiala and I have done my masters degree from Indian Theatre Punjab University, Chandigarh. Then I moved to Mumbai where I got the chance to assist in films like Shararat, Pinjar and Madhoshi. After that I have directed television shows like Prithiviraj Chauhan, Gunwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge ,Jhansi Ki Rani and many more. In television I was not creatively satisfied , but my dream was to direct films and I used to tell my friends “One day I will become a Film Maker and my first film will be in my mother tongue Punjabi and here it is, I made my film debut with a Punjabi film”
How did you develop interest in film-making?
Since childhood, jadon ton hosh sambhalya hai, I had a special place for films in my heart. Whenever I used to see some kind of an interesting visual or any picture, that visual would stay in my mind for many days. That vision would get stuck into my mind and I felt my eyes is the camera, Since then all I dreamt was of coming to Mumbai and become a Director. Real incidence and lots of films which I had seen in the past, created and developed my interest in film making.
How did LYS happen?
LYS actually happened by chance. I went to direct few episodes of Soubhagyawati Bhava, where I met Karanvir, a great actor and there he saw my working style and said, ‘Boss you will direct my Punjabi film’. Then I remembered my wish which I had told my friends of directing my first film in punjabi. This is how LYS Journey started
LYS could not perform well at the Box-Office. Was it a setback for you?
LYS might have not performed at the box office well, I don’t know the reason for that. All I can say is that today the success or flop of any film depends upon the audience. We got mixed reports. Few people are saying its a really good and some are saying total time pass. In UK, it did so well and in Mumbai, the film ran for 5 weeks being a Punjabi film. LYS has a great message in it, where a guy tells the girl (Teejay) who has run away from her home that too on her wedding day to get married to her lover (Karanvir), but he tells her that ‘Maa Peyo baccheya de dushman nahin hunde. Gharon bhaj ke viyah karna ohna de dil nu thes pahuchan wali gail hoyegi. Pyaar insaan nu zindagi vich dobara mill janda hai, par parivar dobara nahi milda.’ Basically it has a deep message with it and I don’t know the reason for it not working with the audience.
What are the challenges of making a Punjabi film?
Not only Punjabi film, but every film is a challenge, no matter what language it is being made in. One should make the film with full conviction and it all depends on the script of the film, if the script is not good then a good director cannot make good film and if the script is good then it can make the director work a little easier and with his skills the director will definitely shine as the best director.
What is your general viewpoint of the Punjabi film industry
Punjabi film industry is growing at a very healthy rate at present. Everywhere you go, people are talking about Punjabi Cinema and its sudden and humoungous growth these days. I am proud to be a Punjabi and I want to make good films for Punjabi film Industry and wish to work with the likes of Gippy Grewal, Diljit Dosanjh and other prominent actors/actresses from Punjabi Film Industry. I am already working on my next script.
How was the experience of directing a team which was a healthy mix of new comers and experienced campaigners?
It was really a great experience working with all of them.
Name a filmmaker who has been your idol and why so?
Raj Kapoor Ji & Yash Chopra Ji. I have grown up watching their films and they are my idols.
In future, what type of cinema do you aspire to make? Also tell ya something about your future plans.
In future, I will make family entertainers, which can be enjoyed by the whole family, by keeping in mind, a very famous saying now, “Filmein sirf 3 Cheezon ki wajah se chalti hai – entertainment ,entertainment aur entertainment. I think all film makers from Punjabi industry shoud put efforts to make great films by keeping OSCAR TROPHY IN MIND THAT ONE DAY WE WILL GET THIS TROPHY TO PUNJAB.
