In their chosen SECTOR
“I am the king, with me fight, ‘uje’ the dipper at the night,” exclaims Prince Kanwaljit Singh, writer and lead star of the film Sector 17, in its trailer. An action drama, the team of the film was present at the poster and trailer launch, on Saturday, in Mohali. Prince Kanwaljit, the man behind the film, and his team were in jubilant spirits.
Supporting them was the leading star of Punjabi industry, Gippy Grewal. “In a world full of negativity, which thrives on controversy, it’s about time that we bring a positive change.”
Before the film, Prince spoke about his mentor Gippy Grewal. Calling Gippy his go-to person, Prince shared, “I am ever-so-grateful that bai ji believed in me and gave me the opportunity in this field, and mentored me too.” For his projects, Prince banks heavily on Gippy’s counsel. “Bai ji is as critical as supportive, and I value his opinion over everything else.”
The team Sector 17 called the shoot experience fun, where the set resembled a naanka and everybody was in good spirits. One could see the camaraderie among the team as they joked and held each other up.
Keeping up with the fun banter, Gippy shared, “I saw many trailers, but this is the best.” The Ardaas director talked highly of Prince, while comparing him to Gurpreet Ghuggi. “Just like Ghuggi bai, Prince can enact any character. In Warning as well as in Ardaas, both the characters that Prince Kanwaljit played were odd; kudos to him for enacting both so well.”
A risk-taker, Gippy candidly talked up about the struggle and little support that he got from the industry while starting up. “People said don’t do Warning or Ardaas — subjects like these don’t work. By the grace of the Almighty, both worked. They said don’t take Ghuggi as lead, and now they say there wouldn’t have been any Ardaas without Ghuggi bai. So have the courage and take that leap of faith.”
Gippy equally praised Manish Bhatt, director of Sector 17. The duo came together for the hit song Oscar. “I loved Manish’s work in Oscar. When I see him and Prince having come so far, it only fills me with pride.”
Prince, who genuinely chooses a different path, believes in taking his team along. Encouraging and cracking jokes at the same time, he said, “I didn’t expect it but Bhumika has been so natural in the film.”
Bhumika Sharma, the female star, called the film a learning experience. “I loved observing the process of action sequences. In the company of established actors, I learnt the nuances of the game.” Though she plays a regal character, “There will be moments of love and fun banter.”
The plot of Sector 17 revolves around standing for one’s rights. Chandigarh was built on many villages and the film’s story is a fictional take on the past of City Beautiful. Prince Kanwaljit, who comes from a strong theatre background, has taken liberty to use English dialogues in the film. “It gives a ghaint flavour to the film,” he laughed.
Gippy felt it took time for Prince to find his feet in the industry but now he is getting his due, “One cannot always complain about the past. My learning has been to let the bygones be bygones, and enjoy what you have. If our films work, it’s in the larger good of the industry.” Along with the Carry On Jatta actor, Gippy, was singer Singga to show solidarity with team Sector 17. The film releases on
November 15.
