Punjabi antenna
Will this flick do the trick?
Randeep Wadehra

Goldie Somal, the leading man of Mehndi Wale Hath

Punjabi cinema is showing signs of rejuvenation as it tries to get out of vendetta-based scripts and explores other aspects of human situations. Director Harinder Gill’s Mehndi Wale Hath is the latest Punjabi flick, scheduled to hit the circuit in June. It promises to offer healthy entertainment laced with strong social comment against perpetrators of social evils such as dowry and gender bias. Jointly produced by Dalwinder Lidher (of Yaaran Naal Bahaaran & Assan Nun Maan Watana Da fame) and Kanwaljit Dhillon, it portrays the vicissitudes experienced by a philanthropist agricultural family that has been ruined by frauds and feuds. Thus begins its struggle for survival.

The main protagonist is played by 6’4” tall model-cum-actor Goldie Somal, who starred in Topless, the Bollywood movie which was an entry for the 2005 Berlin Film Festival. Mehndi… is the first Punjabi movie in which this lad from a village in Hoshiarpur district is starring. Saanya is in the female lead. Since Iqbal Dhillon is providing professional inputs, above par production values are expected. But the moot question is – would this flick do the trick by raising Punjabi cinema to a higher plane of creativity?

Interviews give us insights into people’s thought processes. Some get nervous, others airy-fairy and still others become rather weighty. So we’ve discovered while watching Star of the Fortnite, Dil Diyan Gallan, Ridka On Road and other such television programmes. However, Sardool Sikander, while replying to questions in Caught On Camera, remained appropriately modest. But even modesty can go a bit too far and become a put-on job. For example, when asked the secret of his success he came up with the clichéd and none-too-illuminating response, viz., pyaar of his fans and ooperwale di mehr or words to that effect.

One would have preferred to know about his riyaz regimen and how he polished his talent and came up trumps against the odds that an artiste faces during his period of struggle. Children are much more forthright. A child guest in Kakka Nikki Times gave full details of her dance practice; and, when asked whether she was ever punished for being naughty, she replied, “I am not naughty, but I do get punished for my younger brother’s mischief.” Now, doesn’t that tell us something about gender bias within the four walls of our homes?