All round performer; singer, dancer and actor Diljit Dosanjh was in the UK last week to promote two films and the Asian Voice went to meet him. Vitabiotics’ sister company, Grand Showbiz Entertainment, is presenting the two films. Rohit Sheltkar, co-founder of Grand Showbiz Entertainment who holds a director position at Vitabiotics, said, "We are excited to present to the UK audience two very exciting films – 'Udta Punjab' - a new-age multi starrer with a strong social message for the youth and 'Sardaar Ji 2'- a Punjabi family entertainer. Our focus is to bring different genres of Indian cinema to a global audience, we hope that these films will be loved by all. "
Udta Punjab is already making waves due to its subject matter. The lead characters are a rock star, a Bihari migrant labourer, a doctor and a policeman. Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh come together for the first time. They play characters from different walks of life fighting the menace of drugs, each in their own way. Udta Punjab is directed by Abhishek Chaubey, it releases 17th June, 2016. We asked Diljit Dosanjh, "What do you know about the drug problem in Punjab and India?" He replied in Punjabi, "Drug addiction is a problem the world over, but definitely it’s a problem in Punjab. That’s why the discussion has started at an international and a national level. Through cinema, we entertain and contribute to the discussion that way. I didn’t have to prepare too much.
Since I was raised and educated in Punjab, I identified with my character a lot. If I feel for a character, I accept a role otherwise I just sing. I’m not too good at studying, but if I read something once, I remember it. I read my script once then I make it my own. Alia Bhatt, Shahid Kapoor, and Kareena Kapoor are amazing artists. Very hard working. Very down to earth. They go the extra mile. They have pure souls. Artists tend to have purer souls. When you create a song, sound, film, you create a new world. So they’re close to nature. Kareena Kapoor, before she does a take, she rehearses 15-20 times so that she doesn’t make a mistake. ‘There should not be an extra take on my account. There should be just one take and it should be good.’ She goes and watches her take herself on the monitor. She asks the director, ‘Are you satisfied? I feel I can do better. But it’s your call.’ It’s amazing that she is so hungry about her work even after arriving at this level."
Also, Dosanjh spoke about the sequel to last summer's 'Sardaar Ji', 'Sardaar Ji 2'. The story begins in a village in Punjab, where organic farmer, simpleton Jaggi (Dosanjh) lives. The village gets into trouble and Jaggi travels to Australia to save it. We asked Diljit how long the 'Sardaar Ji' franchise could go far? He answered, again in Punjabi, "This is only the second Sardaar Ji. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. The story for this one is different to the last one and I do different things. The story is different but it is the same in that it is for families with children. It’s for small kids, every age group. I’m not at all like Jaggi. He gets overawed by his problems, I don’t. On dancing and singing, I don’t practise. It’s in the blood of Punjabis. Every Punjabi you meet can sing and dance. For me it’s just that I got an opportunity and the time was right. I love my fans but don’t want them to see me as a role model. I’m an entertainer. I want fans to follow their own gurus. This is all temporary and I deal in temporary things."
