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Daring is his passion
and profession
Col Balbir Singh traces golden period of Indian hockey
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Atta-dal scheme: Villagers organise dharna
Jimmy wants to make people laugh
Unauthorised commercial building
‘Unity in diversity’ comes alive at LPU
Deol’s novel ‘Umar Tamam’ released
Young Indian LPU Net launched
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Daring is his passion
and profession
Jalandhar, April 5 In one of Bollywood’s most progressive eras, stunt man-turned-action director Sham Kaushal is one guy who could be held responsible for roughly all the classy action that happens in the industry. From the “Sameer” screaming Aishwarya Rai in “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” with her dupatta on fire to Shahrukh Khan hollering “Anna Rascala” in “Om Shanti Om” (Kaushal did Quick Gun Murugun too) and from the crazed riots in Rahul Dholakia’s “Parzania” to the nerve-wracking blasts in Anurag Kashyap’s “Black Friday”, Kaushal is the man who, as he modestly puts it, “Made sure that no one got hurt”. Born and brought up at Mirzapur village in Hoshiarpur, he was almost set on becoming a lecturer after completing his master’s degree in literature, but abandoned the idea because “M.Phil was introduced that year and I couldn’t have waited for another course”. He tried getting a job but couldn’t. Frustrated, he paid heed to a friend’s advice and headed to Mumbai. Enrolling as a sales executive on a 9 to 5 shift, the job did him no good. Luckily, his Punjabi stunt men friends at the PG he was staying in, asked him to try his luck at Bollywood and thus started his eventful journey as a stunt man. Doing stunts for six years, (he has been a stunt man for the likes of Sanjay Dutt and Mithun Chakraborty) this Hanuman’s devotee’s honesty and earnestness soon yielded him rich rewards. His first project as an action director was Malayalam film “Indrajalam”. The big break in Bollywood happened with the intense 1991 film “Prahaar”. For its vivid, goose-bumpy action sequences Kaushal took two months of commando training. And Bollywood sat up and took notice. He was soon on every director’s list, and has worked for esteemed projects like “Agni Sakshi”, “Fiza”, “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose”, “Asoka”, “Kkrish”, “Chak De India”, “Lakshya”, “Don”, “Kabul Express”, “New York”, “Kaminey”, “Rajneeti”, “Raavan”, “A Wednesday”, “Three Idiots”, “Slumdog Millionaire” and all Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s projects. He has also worked on many Punjabi projects along with significant TV productions like “Shaktiman” and “Chanakya”. He sticks to his roots and is most comfortable speaking Punjabi. Excerpts of a conversation: His work strategy: I concentrate on the character. The action sequence depends on the nature of the character and his response to a particular situation. Cinema and Hollywood: A strict no to aping or borrowing (from Hollywood or others). But cinema is changing in a positive way and work boundaries are getting blurred. The world is becoming one and so we should be open to the change. Change in the role of action director: Earlier, people concentrated on larger-than-life action depending upon formula scripts. But now the storytelling technique is getting diversified. Realism is in. Action has also changed with that. For formula films I used my imagination. Now, with research-based content, we also make sure everything looks real and believable. I like reality-based action more. Also, these days a lot of care is being taken to make the action team secure. Like the rest of the crew, they are valued people. That has facilitated a lot of good work and experiments. Action and animation: Both are interlinked. For every movie, lot of post-production happens in action sequences. And we rely heavily on animation for that. Animation is now a very important element of action direction and we have to be well-versed with the latest it has to offer. Bollywood and Punjabi cinema: Bollywood is certainly way ahead. In Punjabi cinema there’s scope for improvement, especially in the production sector. But changes won’t happen overnight. People are opening up to it now. Lately, there’s been a lot of awareness about Punjabi movies. His strength: Wife Veena and kids Vicky Kaushal (who is assisting him for “Gangs of Wasseypur”) and Sunny Kaushal (working on the film “My Friend Pinto”). The pressure: There are times when I have cried after gruelling shots, relieved that everyone was okay. It’s an immense lot of pressure when you know people might get hurt and you will be responsible for it. The gallant actors of today: Oh they are such a pain sometimes (laughs). In a way, it was easier earlier. We did the stunts and we got hurt. So we knew the actors were safe. But these guys want to do stuff themselves. Won’t listen even if you tell them to slow down. Shahrukh: Got a fearless spirit. He’s always bent upon putting in his extra bit. He is cool about taking even the biggest of risks. Sometimes even when you stop him. Hrithik: Is a perfectionist. He comprehends action really well and puts in his 100 per cent for a given sequence. Akshay: Action comes naturally to him. It’s an inherent part of his personality and he always insists to do his bit himself. Upcoming projects: Pankaj Kapoor’s “Mausam”, Anurag Kashyap’s “Gangs of Wasseypur”, a French film and another international venture. |
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Col Balbir Singh traces golden period of Indian hockey
Jalandhar, April 5
The autobiography shows the genesis of Arjuna Awardee Col Balbir, hailing from “Kular” sub-caste, one family and one street from Sansarpur village on the outskirts of Jalandhar Cantonment. The book, which is in the initial stages, includes some catchy sub-titles like “My love affair with Lady Hardinge”, a special chapter on “The time when hockey used to be Singh” and the glorious contribution of all “Balbir Singhs” from Sansarpur to hockey. The foreword of the book would be written by Chief of the Army Staff General V.K. Singh. Col Balbir is also looking forward to release the book by Gen V.K. Singh in New Delhi. Talking to The Tribune, Col Balbir Singh said there were a few books, which highlighted the significant contribution of Sansarpur to the Indian Hockey. “I have been associated with hockey since the days when it used to rule the hearts of every Indian. It was a desire to write something on hockey and I preferred to go ahead with an autobiography,” he added. “I am hopeful that this book will help the readers get an insight into some interesting and significant developments in hockey and my lifelong association with the national game,” said the present selector of the Indian Hockey (Men and Women) teams. Col Balbir said among some other major developments of his life was joining the Army in 1965 and representing the Services team in the National Hockey Championship from 1965 to 1974. He led the Services team that won the Bombay Gold Cup in 1971. “As a Gentleman Cadet at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, I was the second officer to have been selected for the Olympic squad. The first was Capt IAS Dara, who played in the Berlin Olympics, 1936”, he said, adding that the book also includes a special chapter on his association with Army Service Corps (ASC), Jalandhar Cantonment. The former Olympian, national coach and selector was a member of the Indian team which won the gold medal at the Bangkok Asian Games in 1966, played for India in the international hockey tournament in Madrid, 1967, and represented India in the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
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Atta-dal scheme: Villagers organise dharna
Nakodar, April 5 People of five villages, including Killi, Shekewal, Sangatpur, Pattonkalan and Jafarwal, gathered in large numbers and raised anti-government slogans. Protesters even blamed officials of the cooperative society for misguiding the “blue cards” holders. Villagers alleged that the government had recently done a survey and deliberately deprived a majority of villagers of the atta-dal scheme by refusing to reissue blue cards to them. Gurbax Kaur, representative of the Pendu Majdur Union, alleged that cooperative society officials were not even delivering atta-dal to real beneficiaries of the village and prefer to extend benefit to influential persons.
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Jimmy wants to make people laugh
Jalandhar, April 5 Doing one formula flick a year for Punjab, some say his is an important contribution for increasing the acceptability of Punjabi films worldwide. A marked change from the intense, disillusioned extremist avatar (Machis) that marked his entry into Bollywood and got him critical acclaim (but not success), Jimmy Shergill now enjoys an eternal chocolate-boy image that makes his niche audience (read: women) swoon. On the sidelines of his press meet at Big Cinema in the city, to promote his upcoming flick “Dharti”, Jimmy busts precious myths starting with “Machis”. He says his bearded image in “Machis” got him accolades but for three years he was left without roles except one in the film “Jahan Tum Le Chalo”. “I got clean-shaven after “Machis” and nobody would recognise me. Sadly, most people don’t even know “Machis” was my debut film. Then a video with Jojo (Voh Kaun Thi) happened and soon after there were articles which sort of reintroduced me. There was also this video directed by Meghna Gulzar for the album “Marasim” (Shaam se ankha meing nami si hai). These helped me.” Soon after, he did “Mohabbatein’, which got him recognition and roles. He delivered memorable performances in movies like “Hasil”, “Munnabhai” series, “Yahaan”, “A Wednesday”, “Eklayva-The Royal Guard”, “Tom Dick and Harry”, “Yun Hoyta To Kya Hota”, “Delhi Heights”, “Bas Ek Pal”, “Dus Kahaniyaan” and lately “My Name is Khan”, “Tanu Weds Manu” and “Game”. His Punjabi films include “Yaaran Nal Bahaaran”, “Tera Mera Ki Rishta”, “Munde UK De”, “Mel Karade Rabba” and the upcoming “Dharti”. Excerpts from an interview: Do you feel a lack of solo hits in your Bollywood career? “I believe in destiny. There’s a time for everything so things will happen when they have to. Besides, I am choosy and I look for quality roles.” How did the shift to Punjabi films happen? “It all started at a meeting with Manmohan Singh during a function. I had worked with him in Machis, Mohabbatien and Marasim. I was keen on working on Punjabi films. So Yaaran Naal Bahaaran happened.” What drove your decision to stick to Punjabi cinema? “When there is a different offer you tend to accept it. I began it because I wanted a different experience. I thought it would be fun. Then I liked it here. It took me six years to earn the adulation and respect that Punjabis all over the world offer. I feel respected and like to work here.” Do you feel Punjabi cinema lags behind the other regional cinema and Bollywood in terms of content and class? “I believe it’s important to first follow the formula and grab the audience then we might move on to the heavier stuff. Neither the crowds, nor producers here are ready for the arty stuff right now. Once the audience is set, we can start experimenting. In any case a change is there. There was a lot of NRI and college, university stuff happening in Punjabi films earlier. Dharti is going to be different. It is going to be high on quality and content.” Do you miss out on Bollywood due to Punjabi movies? Nope. The team here is flexible and we work our time schedule. If I have a Bollywood flick to work on in the winters, we decide to do the Punjabi one in the summers or vice-versa. What’s your dream role? People look at me like I’m this intense, serious guy. I am bored of that image. I feel hungry for lighter roles. I want to make people laugh. I have no clue why people don’t offer me roles where I might have some fun. Deepak Tijori’s Tom Dick and Harry is the only such role that I got so far. I want more. What are your upcoming films? “Sahib Bibi Aur Gangster and Dharti”
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Unauthorised commercial building
Jalandhar, April 5 Addressing a press conference, Gurpreet Singh, a resident of 209-R, Model Town, said the officials were not taking any action despite the fact that they had themselves admitted that the building owner had neither got the plan passed nor got any parking constructed. The officials admitted the same in a reply to an RTI application. The complainant said he had again on October 1 last moved an application asking what action had been taken but he had not received any reply ever since. He said he had given a complaint to the Commissioner and Mayor as well but only a notice had been pasted on the building without further action. He said the owner of the building was trying to start more construction on the back, which was harming the building of his house. The MTP, Tirlok Singh, seemed indifferent as he said since the building had come up six to seven years ago and there were more commercial buildings in the same lane that had violated norms in the same way, it was difficult to take stern action at this moment. “We are waiting for a one-time settlement case regarding such buildings lying with the Supreme Court”, before taking any further action. |
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‘Unity in diversity’ comes alive at LPU
Jalandhar, April 5 The event provided a mixed flavour of different customs, costumes, languages and foods of the country. Massive stalls were put up for 28 different states. Students from all the schools of the university worked in coordination to display an assortment of specialities of these states, in accordance with the annual theme of monuments and festivals of India. There were models of various monuments, including Char Minar, Taj Mahal, Konark Mandir, Howrah Bridge, Kullu Dasehra, Bodh Gaya, Sanchi Stoopa, Hawa Mahal, Gateway of India, Golden Temple, Goa beach, Badri Nath, Land of Rising Sun, Kamakhya Temple, Kanglasha, Kharchi Pooja, Gwalior Fort, Sri Jagannath Rath-Yatra, Eden Garden, SAIL industry, Khargpur platform. The participants also performed important dances of their states, like kuchipuddi, bharatnatyam, laavni, oddissi, bhangra, giddha, natti, bihu, etc. They had also set up separate kiosks to put on view the ornaments and dresses worn, the food-items relished, the languages spoken, the singing, music and dancing enjoyed in their respective states.
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Deol’s novel ‘Umar Tamam’ released
Jalandhar, April 5 The novel, which talks about the condition of farmers in Punjab, was released by writer Variyam Singh Sandhu, Baldev Singh Badan and Dr Lakhvinder Singh Johal along with Bakhtavar’s (who is popularly known as Deol) son. Johal said the novel presents a picture of about 60 years of Punjabi culture. During his career, Deol penned books titled “Hijar Vasal Dian Gharian”, “Pyas” and “Mera Kaav Jagat” along with a novel, “Ohde Maran Ton Magron”.
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Young Indian LPU Net launched
Jalandhar, April 5 Sharing the information with the media, Chancellor of LPU Ashok Mittal said, “The collaboration with YI will provide a special platform to the students of the university and also help them to become a part of the Indian growth saga. As per the provisions, both the organisations are going to facilitate youth to unleash their potential and create a positive impact and to work effectively for promoting leadership skills among themselves.” He said, “More activities have been planned along with in near future, including initiative to empower the students to work in the fields of education, employment, environment, youth affairs and health. The arrangement will also facilitate the university students’ interaction with young achievers.” Dr Parul Pandey, Chairperson, YI Nets, and Swati Bansal, executive, CII, were present as the MoU was signed in Chandigarh between CII-YI and LPU. Akshay Bector, Chairman, CII, Punjab Council, and Dr Pandey also attended the event. This is the first YI Net in Punjab and the YI has chapters in more than 16 cities across India. Dr Pandey said YI Student Nets are formed by the CII with a vision to influence, inspire and motivate the students across the country. These focus on bridging the gap between students and society by involving them in building a better India. The YI membership base includes young progressive Indians comprising of entrepreneurs, professionals and progressive achievers from different walks of life.
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Stunt man-turned-action director Sham Kaushal talks about the action story in Bollywood
Nakodar, April 5
Actor Jimmy Shergill talks about his shift to Punjabi films and his love for laughter
