‘I am on the right track’

Jasmine Singh  

“I can see someone in the background, please clear. Okay, let’s roll”...director Rohit Jugraj prepares for the take of his under-production film Arjun Patiala in Chandigarh. 

The film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Kriti Sanon, Varun Sharma and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub Khan of Tanu Weds Manu fame. It is being produced by Dinesh Vijan and presented by Bhushan Kumar. 

Right after the shot, the director, with his ‘while- making- film-dishevelled-hair’, has time for a chat; he is happy to be shooting in Chandigarh, he is glad to be directing Diljit Dosanjh after Sardaarji, he feels privileged to be working with a professional production house and with storyteller Ritesh Shah and most of all...“I am happy that I’ve been able to bring Bollywood to Pollywood. Arjun Patiala is a small step in this regard,” he shares.

A lot of love

Arjun Patiala will strike a balance among commercial cinema, comedy and Punjabi sensibilities. 

“I guess this is why the producers thought I could do a good job with this film.” The director has all the reasons to steer the conversation on the Pollywood track. “It is because of Punjabi films that I have got a Hindi film project; I am indebted for all the love that Punjabi audiences have given me,” he adds. 

Rohit is all soaked in gratitude, while shooting in Chandigarh with a cast that he calls thoroughly professional, understanding and superbly creative. “Chandigarh is like heaven for filmmakers; planned, green and easy-going, it has a rhythm and vibe of its own,” adds the director, who finds Diljit an absolute delight to work with. 

Let’s talk about Diljit

“I share a level of comfort with Diljit Dosanjh, which makes working with him a delight. Diljit never takes anything for granted; he is like the one-shot actor and someone who is always open to improvisations.”

Now, improvisation is something Rohit is known for, an addition here, a subtraction there, inputs are always welcome as long as it helps in making the scene better. “This is what I love about my actors in the film, right from Diljit, Kriti, Varun to everyone else, they are not stuck; they let the director and the scenes guide them.”  

While Diljit plays a cop, Kriti will be playing the role of a journalist; the story will have, as expected, dollops of Punjabi comedy. “It is a story of two cops played by Diljit Dosanjh and Varun Sharma. It has comedy, romance and action...all you need.” 

High flick 

Punjabi and ‘Punjabiness’ (as Rohit coins his own term) is now very much a part of Rohit Jugraj. And this is why he would never ever, as he stresses on the two words, stop making Punjabi films. In fact, his much-talked about film Khido Khundi is ready for release. A prestigious project, close to his heart, Rohit sees it as a film that will make everyone sit up and notice a village named Sansarpur, which produced 14 hockey Olympians! “Doesn’t Punjab and every Punjabi need to know the story? I have put my blood and sweat into the project,” he says. 

In fact, not many know that this swashbuckler hits the mountains after the completion of every project, to touch base with himself again! He is also the first director to announce a commercial film on Battle of Saragarhi with Sanjay Dutt. Now, with so many films being made on the same subject, Rohit has just one thing to say...“I think I am on the right track.” For sure!

Kriti loves Chandigarh

“It has been a few days in Chandigarh; the city is already so welcoming. Be it the people or culture, there is a sense of warmth and belongingness that I feel here.  Also, I am a Punjabi and a big foodie, so I am loving it here. I have gorged on my favourite butter chicken, paranthas and lassi already.”  jasmine@tribunemail.com