Leading the way
Jasmine Singh
Though the role of character artistes, which come in line after the lead actor or actors, is open to interpretation, their importance in a film cannot be ignored or denied. Punjabi film industry too has a battery of such artistes who not only lift the film, but can also single-handedly drive the film to box-office with their acting and depth; be it a comic or a serious role. In the recent past, character artiste Nirmal Rishi was applauded for giving Punjabi film Nikka Zaildar a successful turn with her comic timing.
On a similar note, artistes like Anita Devgan, Karamjit Anmol, Harby Sangha, Malkeet Rauni, Rupinder Rupi, Hobby Dhaliwal and now the recent crop of actors, Nisha Bano (singer also), Jagjeet Sandhu, Dheeraj Kumar, has become an indispensable part of the film industry. Though the Punjabi film industry is still heavily lead-centric, these artistes have created an audience for themselves and are simply hard to miss now.
Finally, looking at them
The strong character artistes of Punjabi cinema have always been comedians, friends and relatives of actors who tickle the funny bone. Harby Sangha has been a character artiste for almost a decade now, but recognition came his way only recently. “It did take a while for the audience and the industry to sit up and notice; now that they have, it is a happy feeling,” shares Harby who has played very small character roles, but infused life into each of them. “This is what a character artiste has to do, solidify his or her role amidst lead actors; therein exactly lays the challenge.”
Chasing fun, getting fame
When it comes to facing the challenge and making it nearly mandatory for the audience to notice them, artistes like Nirmal Rishi or Anita Devgan are a success story. From playing a cruel mother-in-law in Rabb Da Radio to an affable traditional mother in Angrej, Anita Devgan is now a part of each and every film. Though she has always done light roles, Anita recently tried negative roles as well. This holds true for Nirmal Rishi too, who has done numerous comic roles, and is now trying new character roles as well. “A character artiste has to reach the typecast stage and when one gets there, they have to create a niche and only then they can think of experimenting with their roles,” adds Hobby Dhaliwal, who has played father-in-law, father and villain in many Punjabi films.
Young & defining
So, what is the story of younger character artistes? Jagjeet Sandhu was first seen in Rupinder Gandhi; thereafter he has done strong character roles. “I have seen people become stars in a five- minute role and I have seen those who are part of every film reach nowhere. I do not consider that length of the role has anything to do with how strong an impact I can create with my role. The only question that I ask myself is how will the film turn out with my coming on screen for whatever time,” adds the theatre artiste who will next be seen in the film Rangroot. Character artistes of the Punjabi film industry are creating an impact with their stellar performances; they might know they are as good, and even better, than the lead pair, only they do not want to make any noise about it!
jasmine@tribunemail.com
