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Jee Aayan Nu | Manmohan Singh
A ‘welcome’ relief
Namita Nivas
At a time when films, in general, are at a dismal state, the Punjabi film Jee Aayan Nu which means welcome in Punjabi is breaking records at the box-office as it has all the ingredients to woo the people of Punjabi soil. The universal theme of the film has appealed to audiences across India as well as abroad for its distinctive amalgamation of humour, love and relationship. With a very realistic storyline that can happen in real life, it not only portrays Punjabi culture but also gives direction to the new generation living abroad about their lives.
Director Manmohan Singh and actress Priya Gill were only too enthusiastic to speak about the film.
Exploring Punjab
He is known for his brilliant camerawork in Yash Chopra films having made films like Silsila, Darr, Chandni, Dil To Pagal Hai, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, to name a few and has gained several accolades for his brilliant cinematography. But his attempt at direction was not all that successful. Nine years ago he directed Naseebo with a entire new starcast. But this experimental Punjabi film, made within a budget of Rs 20 lakhs, did not do too well at the box-office. He then tried his hand at directing Hindi films. Tirandaaz, starring Sunny Deol and Sridevi, had to be postponed because of Sunny’s back problem and later it got shelved. Pehla Pehla Pyar with Rishi Kapoor and Tabu also failed at the box-office.
Yet this did not deter Singh. He went ahead and made another Punjabi film Jee Aayan Nu and this film, with the director’s refreshingly different style of story telling, vision and perception was a success all over.
Despite knowing that Punjabi films don’t have a future and that they don’t cover the cost, Singh went ahead with his dream. “I wanted the Punjabi culture, tradition and music to be exploited to the hilt. Films like Gaddar and Monsoon Wedding in the past have brought out these aspects. But I had a different vision,†said the director.
The film is based on some real life incidents in Punjab and many could relate to it easily which is why it had so much appeal. The film, he says, covers the gamut of experience for NRIs and considers what was gained and lost by those who left their homelands in search of prosperity abroad. It offers a rare and authentic portrayal of life reflecting the innate warmth of Punjabi people and the real life dilemma of those who left their homes, and those who stayed behind. It has a simple story line with issues relating to life in India and the life of Indians in the west.
Singh was confident of the film’s success as he “was dealing with a subject that would never go wrong.†He confesses that whoever heard the story asked him to make it in Hindi but Singh was adamant to make it in Punjabi. “Now people are more happy that actual Punjab has been shown in the film and the issues shown are so real.†And he gave it the look of an Yash Chopra film which he excels in.
Singh was right in his perception. The film has received phenomenal response from Punjabis in India and overseas. “The overseas market has been thriving since the release,†beams the maker who has been on the film scene for the last 30 years.
He is proud that his year long effort has paid off. The film was made for a cause and today the success of the film has brought in a great change in the lookout of film people towards Punjabi films. Now Singh is certain that he can approach anyone to star in his forthcoming projects.
Talking about pop singer Harbhajan Singh who makes his acting debut, Singh says he has known Harbhajan for a long time and has done several of his videos. Since Harbhajan was comfortable in front of the camera, casting him in the film was easy and he has done a commendable job.
Now Manmohan Singh plans to make one more Punjabi film (It could be a bi-lingual). “Actually in Jee Aayan Nu, we could not solve all the issues that were raised in the film due to time constraints. So I plan to raise these pending issues in my next project and clarify them,†he explained adding that Hindi films will always be on priority list even as Jee Aayun Nu brings new life to Punjabi films.
http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.ph ... nt_id=3465
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