Gurnaaz Kaur
“Those who think that Punjabi culture is dying away are wrong. This land of Gurus has seen many ups and downs but history is a witness to its strength. Punjab has toughed out the worst times,” says National Award winning actor Pawan Malhotra who was in Chandigarh as a panellist for the on-going festival Jashn-e-Punjabi. He is of the opinion that there is a need to connect the young generation with the experience of the learned men who can share the historic tales of Punjab and inculcate love towards the Punjabi heritage and culture. “Such exercises will automatically revive what we think has been lost. It will also generate a new love for the language.” He takes much pride in the land of five waters and his being a Punjabi. The state’s love, warmth and hospitality this actor says are unmatched. As we talk about his stellar performances in Punjab 1984 and Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe, conversing in fluent Punjabi Pawan tells he may have not done many Punjabi flicks but he is open to them. “It’s just about the right kind of role. I am waiting for one and as soon as a producer or director comes up with it, I’ll be only too happy to do it.” Call it his love for Punjab or acting or for that matter subject-oriented performances, doing a small role like the one in Gelo meant responsibility for him. “The minute I heard the story, instinctively I just knew I had to do it. How often do you see such Punjabi films where a woman says no man can touch me without my permission; where she tills her own land? So many songs and movies glorifying jatts, this one focused on a jattani - from whom these jatts are born. My role may have been brief but it mattered because the story had a message so powerful.”
So, while his choices are mostly driven by the search for all things meaningful, there are times when he takes up roles like that in Judwaa 2. He thinks one has to keep doing work, pauses are important but being around is even more important. With over 35 years in the industry, he puts it simply. “This profession needs the patience of a tree, which keeps standing no matter what weather it may be, and perseverance of grass, whoever may walk over it—by the end of day, it comes back to its shape.”
Theatre, TV, films—he has been there, done that but even today there is no guarantee what will be a hit or a flop and that’s because, “There is no bigger gambling than box office. Films with frivolity break record while those with substance go unnoticed, no one can say why.”
Black Friday, Jab We Met, Ek Thi Dayan, Children of War and so many more names reflect the versatile actor he is, so when you call him a character actor, his response is, “Even as the lead I would rather play a character or be driven by some heropanti or a romantic song.” In the business of acting, its acting he wants to do and do it with all his candour.
gurnaaz@tribunemail.com
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