Mera Pind

This September we can look forward to guaranteed entertainment mixed with moral inspiration delivered to us by Manmohan Singh (No, not the PM but the accomplished director who made movies like ‘Mitti Wajaan Maardi’ and ‘Jee Aayaan Nu’ amongst others) and Navjot Singh Sidhu.

The cricketer-turned-entertainer will be playing a ‘happy-go-lucky NRI’ who works towards empowering and economizing of his native place. Sidhu’s enterprising initiatives change the lives of much of the youth, led by Himmat (Harbhajan Mann) as they are guided towards self-empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The entire movie is shot in Punjabi and stars Kimi Verma apart from Sidhu and Harbhajan.

When asked, Navjot Singh seemed thrilled about his upcoming movie and claims that from the 200 odd roles he’s been offered, he chose to do this one, not because of the money but because of the script and the learning experience it offers.

He says that just like his entry into politics, his entry into motion pictures was unplanned and a matter of chance.

The movie is targeted at a Punjabi audience and it attempts to focus on the fact that the people of Punjab should strive to be good entrepreneurs in their own homeland rather that running off to a Southall or an Edison to do the same.

The movie is being brought by Reliance’s Big Entertainment, the flagship Media and Entertainment Company of Reliance - Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. They are investing USD 1 billion in its Filmed Entertainment business, apart from already having signed directors like Farhan Akhtar and Shyam Benegal amongst many others. They’re also developing a strong base with Nicholas Cage’s Saturn Productions and George Clooney’s Smokehouse Productions, amongst many others.

All in all, I think it’s a great initiative and I can see it making waves in the hearts of all Punjabis just like Rang De Basanti did for a lot of the youth in the country.

Besides, when we have Sidhu, one who is well-known to make statements like ‘The batsman looks as confused as a baby in topless bar’ taking the wheel, I’m sure we’re in for a joyride!