BALLE BOLLY - FEBRUARY 2021 - Issue

www.ballebolly.com

balle VOL # 2

ISSUE # 2

FEB 2021

B O L LY

Top Songs for your Valentine In conversation with National Award Winner J S CHEEMA 14

THE PUNJABI CONNECTION AT THE OSCARS 26

Face-to-face with

PREETI SAPRU

19

RANJIT BAWA

Custodian of our culture

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RANJIT BAWA

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PREETI SAPRU

WOO YOUR VALENTINE WITH THESE SONGS

29

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KITHE

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lupt gaye ho

JASKARAN 24 SINGH

In conversation with

J S CHEEMA

14

PUNJABI ART HOUSE 22 CINEMA

THEN &

NOW

Page 18

26

The Punjabi connection at the Oscars

28

BABBU MANN

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1 | B A L L E b o l ly | 6

Greetings

[

A

s we enter the month of February, the weather seems to have taken a turn for the be er. The Covid situation is still a ma er of concern, but under control. The government efforts in this regard are laudable. And so is the permission given to cinema houses to run the shows. Films ready for release will now get to go to the ‘big screen’ and hopefully lapped up by the discerning audience, that has been devoid of any wholesome Punjabi entertainment for the past many months. This is a welcome sign and we honestly hope and pray that the cinema enthusiasts do come in droves, but only after adhering to the laid Covid SOPs. The cover story this month is on the incredibly talented, Ranjit Bawa who skyrocketed to fame with his timely hit ‘Ja Di Akal’, which made us stop, hear and act. Its lyrics brought in a sense of reality that hit us like a roller coaster gone awry. We

From the

EDITOR’S DESK salute him and the writer for this effort. The lyrics ‘Ja di akal, vech ke fasal, te lae layi raffal, kar gaya katal, jeean nu panga’ still ring in our ears, as if retelling a familiar story that has been doing the rounds in rural Punjab for decades.

Young talent needs to be appreciated and celebrated. Jaskaran Singh, a highly talented lad from Toronto made us all proud by winning the top position at the prestigious Whistler Film Festival.

We wish him luck for a rewarding future in the world of film making.

Once again, I cannot thank you all enough, especially the Punjabi film and music industry, for having given us your love and support right from our first issue.

With God’s Grace and your blessings, we have seen a marked increase in our circulation and your feedback has been music for our ears. Let it roll in the future too.

And once again, a huge thanks to you all.

HARDEEP SINGH CHANDPURI Editor-in-Chief

RANJIT

BAWA

Just want to continue creating good music

The

CUSTODIAN of our

CULTURE

THE BEGINNING

music resides.

Right from childhood, I was aware of what I wanted to do. I was around five years old and my sister who was then studying in Baring College, Batala took me along with her. By that time, I had sung a couple of times at school functions and the authorities had given me a scholarship and waived my fees. At her college, there was a popular singer who used to sing the song Mi i Da Bawa very well. That was the first time I heard the song and fell in love with it.

I came back home and wrote that song (whatever I remembered of it) into my copy. And then I started singing it at my school and sports tournaments. As I grew up and reached higher classes, only then I came to know that the original singer of this song was the great Alam Lohar ji. So I grew up on this kind of music and this is the foundation that I built on which my

Which was the first-ever song that you sang on the stage?

That was Harbhajan Mann's iconic song Kithhe Gayiaan Maa Saade Hisse Diyan Loriyaan. Recently I met Maan Saab and I told him it was his song that got me on the road to success in the music world and he was elated.

Tell us how the word 'Bawa' got a ached to your name?

I had started with the popular song Mi i Da Bawa which was sung regularly by me in school. Later on in Khalsa College, I used take part and sing in youth festivals.

And it was that song that gave me the la er part of my name. That's how I came to be known as Ranjit 'Bawa'. And when people give too much love and respect then it our duty to make sure that we don't digress on our path and create music that can listened by all members of the family.

“

I got the name ‘Bawa’ from the song ‘Mi i Da Bawa’

Who has been the biggest influence in your career?

My late Ustad Mangal Singh was a huge influence and he used to guide me. he was pre y creative in his approach towards learning and used to write and give the names of all melas in the region. Above all, he would also give me fare to catch a abs and go there. He used to tell me that you go and try and sing at the melas, if they

don't give you a chance then go and sit in the front row and notice all the nuances of the singer and make notes of the same. I used to bring them back and show them to him. Then he would insist that I should try and imbibe if not all, but some of those things. This helped me a lot and has held me in good stead ever since.

Ja Di Akal has been one of your biggest songs that catapulted you into the musical stratosphere. How did you meet its writer Charan Likhari?

not'.

How according to you has the music landscape changed?

We still listen to songs by the greats like Asa Singh Mastana ji, Surinder Kaur ji, Kuldip Manak ji, Yamla ji and they seems so fresh even today.

Now the music scene has evolved to a new level altogether. There are a lot of stars, but they are all pre y insecure too. I just want to keep creating good music which can be appreciated by all across the spectrum.

I first met him at a college function, where I had gone as a chorus singer. My impression was that he would be an elderly man, who possessed such amazing writing skills. But he was just a simple young guy working in the college. When I recorded that song and showed it to various music companies, they said that they liked it, but wondered if the common listener would be able to understand its meaningful lyrics. Luckily, the song became a huge hit and ever since we have worked together on many projects.

Who are your favourite lyricists?

Charan Likhari for sure because it was his song that laid the foundation. Then I like Bunty Bains' songs because he writes very light-hearted ones.

Fateh Shergill is another name and I also like the work of Happy Raikoti.

What are the most valuable words that someone told you?

Gurdas Maan ji once remarked that 90% of the singers today have their eyes set on to the thekas and their songs also reflect the same chack do a itude. They should be more focussed on creating music wherein the listeners can be taken right into their homes. The metamorphosis from the theka to the chulha should be the main focus.

Songs should reflect emotions, relations and a feel of oneness. This is important because we listen to music when the whole family is travelling together from one place to another, so while choosing the song the thought should not come into the mind 'Should I play this song or

Your favourite singers All are doing well. It's a seesaw ba le. Everyone has to sell and will sell, but you never know when and how times change. Just be yourself and enjoy and let the people judge. Sartaj, Jassar, love their work. There should be harmony amongst all singers and never forget that one day we all have to go, let's leave a legacy that can be remembered forever. Love the music and love the people.

What do you prefer? Performing ‘Live’ or recording in a studio.

“ “

See when we record in the studio, we are much relaxed and have the liberty to do takes, retakes etc., and whatever we record in that environment, is recorded forever. It is relatively easier. But performing ‘Live’ is a different ball game altogether and gives you instant result. I love performing on stage.

Sometimes there are thousands of listeners in a show, each with a differing nature and taste. Its our responsibility to appeal to each one of them so that they can go back home with a smile on their face.

We singers are like gusts of the wind

combined riches of the world.

You are known for singing traditional or folk songs but it was a welcome change to hear your romantic song Maarda Gali Vich Gede which the listeners also liked.

Earlier I used to usually sing songs for films and even did some very popular foot-tapping numbers, but at the back of my mind, was always the thought that I should now venture into the romantic genre and hence this track was born.

Your happiest family moment?

I come from a middle class family but the most joyous moment came to me, when I first took my mother abroad and that was for the premiere of my film Toofan Singh and that too in a ‘Business class’ seat. She was elated and simply astounded to see the gizmos and all the new things around her. For me, the joy on her face was many times more than all the

If not a singer, which profession you think you would have chosen?

I think I would have joined the Army.

If not that, then my two MA degrees would have come in handy and I had already taken admission in M Phil, so I guess maybe a Lecturer.

How about your foray into films and the acting world?

Initially, I was a bit reluctant and sometimes felt maybe a bit out of place. But over a period of time, I have improved and with God’s Grace, I am sure my learning curve becomes less steep as time moves on.

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J S CHEEMA Director-Producer & owner of Cheema Studio, Chandigarh

“

Melody never goes out of fashion.....”

Mr JS Cheema receiving the National Award for ‘Best Film in Punjabi’ from the Hon’ble President of India

My grandfather was a visionary and was the first person who setup a cinema in Bassi Pathana. It was a temporary kind of structure and a movie used to be screened at night. My father was in the army and was posted at Pune. He used to love watching Hollywood films and also used to take me along which kindled my interest in them. In 1961, my father bought a spool player, which was a huge luxury at that time. Listening to its sounds, recording them and basically tinkering with it tilted my a ention a li le more towards the world of sound. At the Panjab University, I joined Balwant Gargi’s theatre group where I was responsible for the coordination of sound and music. And it was there that I met the writer Baldev Gill with whom I collaborated later on. In my Masters my classmate was Ravinder Peepat who later became the great Raj Kapoor’s assistant and then a Director of repute.

You have seen the metamorphosis of the Punjabi music scene very closely. How do you think the music has evolved all these decades?

The foremost thing that has stood the test of time and never goes out of fashion is melody.

I personally believe that whatever I create in terms of film or music, it should possess the ability to sustain for a long time to come. But nowadays everyone is looking for instant success, even if its lifespan is for just three days. Some are only interested to get more ‘likes’ on social media and counting the millions of hits that the song achieves. I mean the major change according to me has been the concept of ‘ge ing it done NOW and that too in an instant’ more than anything else.

As time has progressed do you feel that there is an a itudinal change in the artistes?

Earlier in the analogue recording days there were no ‘pitch correction’ softwares. If the You were also responsible for se ing up one singer felt that he/she could perform even be er, then they would simply walk up to the of the earliest recording studios in Punjab. microphone and record it all over again. They What was the thought behind it?

During the production process of my films in were chasing perfection all the time and raising the bar for themselves. But now some the early 80s, I realised that no such facility singers record a song in a couple of hours and was available in Punjab. Forget about the then spend much more time in auto-tuning it. high-tech equipment, even for a very small basic thing, like a generator, we had to rely on This has an effect on quality for sure, but I guess they are handcuffed by market forces at people in Mumbai, which led to an increase play. in costs. In order to make things more affordable for the Producers, we thought that How was the transition from analogue to at least if we could give them a facility to record songs, background score, dubbing etc., digital?

In the analogue days, everyone used to work right here in Chandigarh, then it would be together which created a different kind of a very useful for them. positive vibe. The inspiration percolated from the singer to the musicians and vice-versa.

What was the response like?

When we entered the digital sound world, it It was really incredible. Some of the biggest was due to the changing times for sure. I singers of those times like the great Gurdas vividly remember that once a group of four Mann, Hans Raj Hans, Sardool Sikandar etc., female chorus singers had come for recording all recorded there. I would also like to add and after doing one short bit we asked them that some singer/performers like Master to record the second one. They simply Saleem, Bhagwant Mann etc., actually did their first-ever recordings at our facility only. remarked, “Bhaji ehnu hi copy-paste kar laena”.

Naturally, I was taken aback but with the passage of time we also added this technology to our repertoire.

You were one of the producers of the National Award winning film Chann Pardesi which boasted of a stellar multi-cast. The film also had the proud privilege to win the National Award even before its release. Your view on this.

We had not envisaged at that point of time that it would become a multi-starcast film. I vividly remember that Raj Babbar faced the camera for the very first time while shooting for Chann Pardesi. The scene in which he falls off a bicycle was his first shot ever. The film’s second schedule was delayed by 9 to 10 months due to certain issues, but in the meantime Raj Babbar’s Insaaf ka Taraazu got released and he became a big star. Secondly during the same period Kulbhushan Kharbanda’s Shaan also released where he was the main villain and his work was also appreciated. We were novices in the field of cinema at that point of time, but due to team work and blessings of the Almighty, the film came out to be really good and was appreciated all over.

Any comments.

Yes it is true. But I would hasten to add that the whole process was very challenging. I mean one needs to restore the negatives of the film that are 40 years old. Other than this, the non-availability of analogue theatres, colour correction expenses, background score, marketing cost etc., were always on our minds but somehow the team managed it and the film is now ready for a re-release. There is no change in the film, we just digitised it, that's it.

But because of the Covid situation, the release got delayed, but we are hopeful that soon it will be released.

You were also involved as a Producer with Smita Patil’s last film Waaris. How was that What was it like meeting the legendary experience?

V Shantaram?

It is pertinent to mention here that the Head of Actually after the success of Chann Pardesi, we Jury for the National Award was the legendary once again sat down and thought ‘What now?’, Baldev Gill had a nice subject but the canvas V Shantaram. At the gala dinner after the was very big and after discussions, it was award ceremony, we got a chance to meet the decided that Raj Babbar and Smita Patil (who great film maker and he told us “While were very popular in those times) would play the watching your movie we were transported right into the village environment where it was main roles. The shooting started in 1984, but the deteriorating situation in Punjab alarmed shot, which gave us a feel of the ‘real’ village life. But we did not give you the award for this. the actors to the extent that all the ‘ruralse ing’ scenes were not shot in Punjab, but You were given the award because we see a near Karnal in Haryana. Sadly Smita Patil great potential in your team and are confident passed away before the dubbing of the film got that you can churn out meaningful cinema in completed which was later done by Rekha who the years to come”. This encouraged us a lot, actually did not even charge us any money for but also gave us the added responsibility to it and she did a wonderful job too. The film shoulder the great man’s words. was appreciated by all and people remember it very fondly even till now.

There was also the buzz that Chann Pardesi might be released again in theatres very soon.

By: Mandeep Chandi

celebrating centuries’-old tradition

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celebrating centuries’-old tradition

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ਉਚ ੱ ੀ ਰਮਜ ਫਕੀਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਇਹ ਬੋਲੀ ਗੁ ਰਆ ੂ ਂ ਪੀਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਇਹ ਪੰਜ ਦਿਰਆ ਦੀ ਰਾਣੀ ਹੈ ਇਹ ਮੂੰਹ ਬੋਲਦੀ ਸਾਡੇ ਅਮੀਰ ਿਵਰਸੇ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਹੈ

KITHE

lupt gaye ho

REMEMBERING THE WORDS THAT ARE SLOWLY VANISHING FROM OUR ‘Ma-Boli’

ਸੋਤਾ - ਸ਼ਾਮ Sotaah - Evening ਰਹੜੀ - ਖੁੱਲੀ ਜਗਾਹ ਮੈਰਾ - ਰੇਤਲੀ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ

Rahrdi - Open Space or area

Maerra - Land having excess sand in it

ਗੱਬਣ - ਸੂ ੰਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਮੱਝ / ਗਾਂ

ਂ ਪਾਲਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਰਬਾਰੀ - ਊਠ

Ghabban - Pregnant buffalo or cow

Arbaari - The group of people who rear

ਬੇਣੀ - ਦਿਰਆ ਦਾ ਿਕਨਾਰਾ

camels

Beni - Riverbank

ਮੂਨ - ਿਹਰਨੀ

ਿਲਆਰੀ - ਦੱਧ ੁ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਮੱਝ ਯਾ ਗਾਂ

Moon - Doe

Liaari - Milk-giving buffalo or cow

ਸ਼ਾਹਦੀ - ਗਵਾਹੀ Shahdi - Giving of evidence ਸਬੱਬ - ਕਾਰਣ Sabab - Reason

ਬਘੜ - ਬਸਤੀ Baggahr - Shanty or slum ਿਨਆਂਣਾ - ਮੱਝ ਯਾ ਗਾਂ ਨੰੂ ਚੌਣ ਵੇਲੇ ਲੱ ਤਾਂ ਨੰੂ ਪਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਰੱਸਾ Niaana - The rope tied around the legs while milking a cow or buffalo

Face-to-face with

PREETI SAPRU By: Taniesha

scared of him, you won't be able to do wrong to anyone because somewhere there would be a fear that God is watching all of us. There are a lot of people who have hurt someone or the other, but in my entire life, I never thought of intentionally hurting anyone.

Since you are the daughter of the famous film personality DK Sapru and sister of Tej Sapru, how did you get into films? Was it easy or difficult?

It's like I came into this industry very early, my Tell us about yourself?

I am very hard working and religious, it is just like I father did many Punjabi movies and Bollywood movies, my brother also did Punjabi movies, I came am travelling and I am passing through various into Punjabi cinema first and got many options stations on the journey, I can see hundreds of from Bollywood, but people here in Punjab gave a people running and pushing each other and lot of love to me that they never let me go from this climbing up the stairs Seeing all the hustle-bustle industry. I have worked in Bollywood as well, with around me, I believe that I am very grateful and Rajesh Khanna ji, Amitabh ji, Jeetendra ji and must thank God for providing me so much. I think Dharam ji. And I have also worked with Om God has chosen my life the way I am right now. I Prakash ji, Prakash Mehra ji, Mohan Ji and many believe that God is very kind and sometimes I feel, there would be some way to thank God for all these more. I did not continue in Bollywood because the Meherbaniyan and also I love to visit Old Age home, love & affection I got from the people of Punjab and Haryana was beyond everything.

Orphanages, Gurudwara etc., where I can do something for others. It has become a habit now or Some very popular songs were picturised on you. you can say it has become a part of my life to go Which is your personal favourite song? atleast 3-4 days a week to such spiritual, positive Mehendi Mehndi and Gud Naalo Ishq Mi ha, were and motivating places. popular in those times and today as well. Even today people like to hear these songs.

Besides being a 'wonderful actress' you are also known for your kindness.

Punjabi films in your times were more 'innocent' Thank you so much, but you know why one in look and appeal. But not now. Any comments? becomes kind-hearted? You should know when Well, I must say there is a lot of difference. For you love God through your heart & soul and you example, earlier actresses used to wear only suits in understand that God has given you life, and also the movies but now they have started wearing you have achieved it through your ‘Good Karma’. 'western dresses' as well. Even I wore 'jeans & top' I believe that you need to do good to achieve well. in my first Punjabi movie Sunhera Sansar, Sarpanch One more thing, if you love God and you are

“

We should never forget our Sabhyachar

but mostly there were suits, less makeup and even lesser jewellery. Natural beauty and actual 'Punjabi Culture' you can say.

Nowadays we follow the modern era, so things will change and more of western culture is transgressing. Recently, I went for a program in the local Gurudwara, they called me up for the prize distribution ceremony for promoting Gurmukhi and Gursikhi amongst the kids. It was heartening to see five of them who got selected in Maharashtra, I felt the importance of our Sabhyachar and why one should stay connected to it.

What do you think is the future of the Punjabi film industry?

I have experimented and worked in a Punjabi comedy film Teri meri gall ban gayi, which was actually never my style. I have worked with movies which had a lot of drama you can say, whereas in this movie there is drama, but they interspersed it into comedy, because people now like to watch it more. But yes, in future I will definitely work for meaningful Punjabi films.

You share a good bond between you and Daljit Kaur, what do you want to say about this?

Yes, she is a very kind-hearted woman and I must say hard working as well, but somehow I heard that her health is not too good. I tried to find out her address and meet her and I thought of helping her out, whichever way I could. She is senior to me and I would like to help her.

Which one of your roles was the most

challenging?

I liked my roles in Diva Bale Sari Raat, Truck Driver, Qurbani Ja Di, Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da. Any dream role, which you always wanted to play.

I like to play very dramatic roles. When Krishna Shah asked me to do the role of Rakhee's daughter in Amma, he asked me to undertake a screen test and said I feel you can surpass Rakhee in emotions. I was elated and would love to come back and do such work.

You also like to do a lot of 'social work'.

What causes are dear to you?

I like to do 'Sewa'. We should never forget Guru Teg Bahadur Ji's Kurbani and what he did for us, is beyond everything. I am so inspired by this. So I like to meet people and share things which people or children are not aware of and some spiritual values. I like to do these activities a lot.

Notable Punjabi films of Preeti Sapru: Sarpanch Asra Pyar Da Jigri Yaar Jagir Nimmo Dooja Vyah Yarri Ja Di Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da Ja Soorme Dushmani Di Agg Qurbani Ja Di Deeva Bale Saari Raat Mehndi Shagna Di Naseebo Truck Driver Sardaari Muqaddar

RAJIV KAPOOR 25 Aug 1962 - 09 FEB 2021 “I had the opportunity of working with Rajiv Kapoor in the film Prem Granth. It was a difficult subject which he handled with great maturity though it was his first film. Remembering the wonderful moments we shared. My heartfelt condolences to the Kapoor family. RIP” MADHURI DIXIT NENE

Know him more.....

Kapoor made his debut in Ek Jaan Hain Hum in 1983. This handsome young man is remembered for his remarkable performance in the award-winning Ram Teri Ganga Maili which was directed by his dad, produced by his brother, Randhir, co-starring débutante Mandakini. He acted in several other films with the most notable being Aasmaan (1984), Lover Boy (1985), Zabardast (1985) and Hum To Chale Pardes (1988).

Was offered the film Ahista Ahista (1981) but was advised to turn it down by his father.

Raj Kapoor felt he was too young and needed to concentrate on being an Asst. Director.

A lesser-known-face from the famous Kapoor family, he then made a switch to production and direction. His first production was Henna, directed by Randhir Kapoor.

In 1996, Rajiv Kapoor made his feature directorial debut with Prem Granth, starring Rishi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit Nene. He had also produced Rishi Kapoor's directorial debut, the 1999 romance drama Aa Ab Laut Chalen.

Dad Raj Kapoor's maternal uncle was actor Jugal Kishore Mehra. Jugal married actress Anwari Begum and adopted her daughter actress Zarine (Nasreen) Nasreen is the mother of Salma Agha. This makes Rajiv Kapoor a cousin of Salma Agha.

Rajiv’s last movie happened to be Akshaye Khanna, Aishwarya Rai and Rajesh Khanna starrer Aa Ab Laut Chale which had released in 1999. He was set to make a comeback on the silver screen with Ashutosh Gowariker’s Toolsidas Junior.

Saluting the film makers who swam against the current.....

PUN

ART

JAB

I

HOU

SE

CIN

We t im talk ab and e and a out t h w e t he a b r e s t i l o s e l a usu n a l l y i l i t y t o l r e me d m a r k m te n d to p o r t r a b e re d f i l m s i g n y t he fo r t t h a t o re h a r he i r h a v e . sh r s p e a l i l o t , a c to o d t h ty o t f t h i n g , d e te s t i o e ti me s r e c t i o n f whi ch

EM

A

MARHI DA DEEVA - 1989 Raj Babbar, Deepti Naval, Kanwaljeet Based on Gurdial Singh’s novel by the same name, the movie starred Raj Babbar, Deepti Naval, Kanwaljeet, Parikshit Sahni in lead roles. The film received a National Film Award and was critically acclaimed. It heralded a new chapter in Punjabi cinema despite being unsuccessful at the box office.

DEEVA BALE SAARI RAAT - 1990 Preeti Sapru, Girija Shankar & Nirmal Rishi Diva Bale Sari Raat is a punjabi movie released in 1990, directed by the revered playwright, theatre and film director late Harpal Tiwana. His two films, Diva Bale Sari Raat and Laung Da Lishkara became huge landmarks in punjabi cinema and are remembered to this day by film lovers.

ANHE GHODE DA DAAN- 2011 Samuel John, Mal Singh, Sarabjeet Kaur, Lakha Singh Anhe Ghore Da Daan is a 2011 Punjabi language film directed by Gurvinder Singh and produced by NFDC. It is based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Gurdial Singh. It portrays the plight and problems of farmers in Punjab, rural working class, as well as the landlords. The film won National Awards for Best Direction, Cinematography and Best Feature Film in Punjabi at the 59th National Film Awards of India.

EH JANAM TUMHARE LEKHE - 2015 Pavan Malhotra, Sudhanshu Aggarwal, Arvinder Kaur This Punjabi film was based on the life of Late Bhagat Puran Singh of Pingalwara Charitable Society fame. This is a story of his selfless service towards humanity and how he accepted all his patients as his own. A telling tribute to the great man who will be remembered till the end of time.

Jaskaran Singh’s JERSEY BOY wins big at Whistler Film Festival The winning project chronicles a SikhAmerican’s life in the two decades since 9/11, from his loss of innocent youth, to a struggling adolescence, and finally a rediscovered acceptance into adulthood.

By: Aaryan Abrol

I've been a filmmaker since I was fifteen, but it took twice that long to finally be acknowledged as such. While a degree in Political Science and English would suggest I'm only qualified to write political speeches. I like to dabble in multiple genres, including comedy, romance, drama, and science fiction with a focus on the relevant issues happening in our communities.

When did you decide that a career in film making was the right career for you?

Film making is something I've always felt a connection with, even when I didn't know what it was. Like all of us, I loved movies, and would recreate my favourites using my toys or drawings. I would write and perform stories, never really focussed on them ever being captured on video. It probably wasn't until I was maybe ten or eleven that I

started paying a ention to the actual process of filmmaking. I had a large collection of DVDs and listened to every commentary and watched every behindthe-scenes documentary. I started to understand what goes into doing this as a career. But, given academic expectations, it wasn't something I acted upon until much later in life.

How important is ge ing an education in film making?

With the internet, education is at our fingertips. What I self-learnt from DVDs, others went to Film School for that, and now you can get Masterclass lessons on YouTube. I eventually went to Film School because I needed a hands-on experience within the industry. It gave me a network of people I could rely on to create. However, you choose to gain your knowledge, what's ultimately crucial is what you create with it. It's

process, if only so you know which aspect you're best suited for. There was a time when I was doing all the jobs, but now I know I was a terrible camera operator, and have trusted collaborators.

Your list of achievements/awards In the last two years, I've wri en and directed three short films. My first one, A Turban & A Beard played festivals in Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, and New York. I'm hoping my next two have similar positive runs this year. Last year, my feature script that I pitched was on the Top 10 list at the Canadian Film Festival for "Best unproduced screenplay in Canada," as well as having been a finalist for WeScreenplay's Diverse Voices competition in the spring and fall of 2019.

Tell us about your win at the Whistler Film Festival The Whistler Film Festival is one of the largest in all of British Columbia if not Canada. I was extremely fortunate to pitch Jersey Boy at their Power Pitch Competition alongside six other wonderful producers with equally passionate stories to share. The jury stated that my pitch made a strong impact with its fresh take on a story that was both personal and universal in its multi-layered approach to confronting identity in its myriad forms. The prize-winning package includes a $25,000 post-production credit from Company 3 and a $1,000 cash prize plus a $10,000 lighting and grip production credit from William F. White International Inc.

remember the backlash against Sikhs in its aftermath. But beyond that, I also wanted to explore and represent what it was like growing up first-generation in the United States.

Did you honestly believe that you had a chance to win this award?

I certainly hoped I could. I was very proud of the pitch and how it turned out. But I also knew there were six other incredible stories and it was honestly such an honour to be among them.

Any message to upcoming filmmakers It'll sound clichéd, but just create, in whatever form that takes. It could be YouTube, it could be Instagram, it could be TikTok, it could be grabbing a camera and just shooting something.

Know what you want to say and how you're going to say it, and then just do it. Be inspired by what you see and help create what you never saw.

What about your future plans?

As I mentioned, I was able to make two shorts last year, and am hoping to finish work on them, so I can begin taking them to festivals.

Simultaneously, I'm figuring out a path to get Jersey Boy funded and in production later this Any personal experiences that motivated you to year. plan a film like this?

Jersey Boy is a very personal story for me. I grew up in New Jersey and lived there for about fifteen years. I was twelve during 9/11, and

Tell us about your script/film Jersey Boy? Jersey Boy is a coming-of-age drama about a Sikh-American struggling with his dual cultural identities to find his place in America in the two decades since 9/11.

RAJ KAPOOR

THE PUNJABI CONNECTION AT THE OSCARS

B

RAJ KAPOOR PRODUCTIONS The Academy Awards The Grammy Awards Primetime Emmy Awards Country Music Awards People’s Choice Awards Stand up to Cancer American Idol International tours: Ariana Grande Justin Timberlake Backstreet Boys Carrie Underwood Faith Hill Tim McGraw One Republic Jason Aldean Shania Twain Jewel Jonas Brothers Demi Levato Mariah Carey Coldplay The Chainsmokers Worked with: Michael Jackson Eminem Usher Rihanna Nikki Minaj David Guetta Mary J Blige Maroon 5 Katy Perry Paul McCartney Selena Gomez

26

orn to teacher parents in New Delhi and then moving to Alberta, Canada and further to Los Angeles, the ‘other’ Raj Kapoor has come a long way.

Fed on a diet of Bollywood blockbusters, he proudly shares his name with the ‘Greatest Showman’ Indian Cinema has ever seen.

Kapoor wanted to be a dancer right from his teenage years and after finishing his Masters from the University of Alberta ventured into professional dancing and choreography. His first break came in the form of ‘American Idol’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

But bigger things were in store for this hardworking Punjabi lad, who made up his mind to show the world what he could accomplish.

If you look at his achievements over the years, one can only gulp in amazement. Over the years, Raj Kapoor Productions has been designing screen content and performances for the big nights from the Oscars to the Grammys and other mega entertainment shows.

“At the Grammys, Michelle Obama's entrance and speech really set the tone for the evening of inclusivity, diversity and celebrating all

forms of music. I think she was a great surprise and her very presence started the Grammy celebration off with the appropriate tone”, he remarks.

Raj’s creative approach is to completely immerse himself in developing a unique visual experience of artistic design and spectacle that best represents the emotion and individuality of the client, balanced with aesthetics, logistics and overall budget.

He has directed and produced Vegas residencies for the Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, John Fogerty and Shania Twain.

Other than this, he mounted numerous large-scale tours for Jason Aldean, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Jewel, Jonas Brothers, Juanes, Demi Lovato, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, OneRepublic, Rascal Fla s, So You Think You Can Dance, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood.

His corporate clients include Disney, Gallo, GM, Skechers, Tesla, UAE and the United Nations.

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