This week’s colour code: Kesari

Sanjam Preet Singh

We all are waiting eagerly for March 21. Indeed, it is a Holi-day and a reason enough to cheer up and splash colours on our loved ones. But one colour that is expected to spread its charm on that day will be kesari.

Kesari, the film, directed by Anurag Singh, is a tale of 21 Sikh soldiers who fought against an army of 10,000 Pathans in the Battle of Saragarhi. With Akshay Kumar once again essaying the role of a turbaned Sikh, the film is sure to touch a chord with the Punjabi audience. As he is in the lead, the spotlight is on him. But other 20 men who acted in the film need their share of limelight as well.

Let’s know a couple of them.

Vivek Saini (28) plays the role of sipahi Jiwan Singh in his debut film. This Chandigarh lad is an alumnus of the School of Communication Studies, Panjab University. He used to do theatre during his college days. Later, he started working as an assistant director in Punjabi films, commercials and short films.

Initially, Vivek wanted to assist Anurag in the film. But the director had other plans for him. “I wasn’t expecting a role,” Vivek says and adds he feels lucky to be directed by Anurag bhaji. Working with Akshay, interacting with him and observing him from a distance was one such experience for him. “Akshay is a disciplined man. Be it acting or his health, he is very particular. And he is passionate about his work. The intensity that he brings to the sets was something we were all in awe of,” says Vivek.

Learning and fun went hand in hand on the sets. Rajdeep Singh Dhaliwal (39), who played the role of siphai Ram Singh, says actors and crew members played cricket after wrapping up the shoot for the songs. “Akhsay sir led one team and (choreographer) Ganesh Acharya sir led the other. To make the matches interesting, bets were placed sometimes,” Rajdeep recalls.By profession, he is an assistant professor of botany in Khalsa College, Patiala. Like Vivek, Rajdeep, too, has a background in theatre. He was part of the theatre team of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and then Punjabi University, Patiala.

“I auditioned for the role to fulfill my son’s wish. He always asked me the reason for not trying my luck in films. I always failed to give a satisfactory reply. When I learnt about the Kesari auditions, I went for it goaded on by my son’s wish. My Sikhi saroop and theatre background helped me bag the role,” Rajdeep says.

About Akshay, Rajdeep says he is very energetic and this rubs on to his co-actors.

He and Vivek are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that Kesari comes out with flying colours.