Sonam Bajwa and Ajay Sarkaria are back together with Punjabi film Jind Mahi, a romantic drama that debutant director Sameer Pannu believes will also deliver a strong social message

Sheetal

Remember Babbu Bains of Ardab Mutiyaran and her better-half Rinku Bansal? Well, this unique pairing of actors, Sonam Bajwa and Ajay Sarkaria, is back with yet another project, Jind Mahi, a romantic drama. It will mark the directional debut of Sameer Pannu, who has previously served as assistant director for films like Sher Bagga, Nikka Zaildar 3 and Ardab Mutiyaran. The film is co-written by Sameer and Manmord Sidhu.

Talking beauty

About the recent trends such as three-step or ten-step skincare routine, Sonam shares, “When not shooting, make-up is a big no. And, to be honest, I am just like any other girl who will be doing all the good things for her skin but can also go without face-wash for days. So, there’s no strict regimen that I stick to.”

When asked what made Sonam and Ajay his first choice and whether he finalised the stars before or after watching Ardab Mutiyaran, Sameer shares, “I had started working on this script after Ardab Mutiyaran, the project I was associated with. I wanted to do something different from what we had already done, so the character of Laado was developed first and then Harry, who will come across as a pessimist in the film. As the script was developing, Sonam and Ajay felt like the perfect choices.”

Romantic genre is being explored on a different scale in Punjabi cinema, thanks to movies like Qismat and Sufna. Sameer adds, “The social message that we have tried to deliver with the tools of romance, comedy and emotions would be the X-factor of the film. The trailer doesn’t give away the entire essence, there is much more!”

Good vibes

Regarding her on screen chemistry with Ajay, Sonam says, “Had it not been for Covid lockdown, we would have definitely worked together in some or the other project earlier. I loved working with Ajay and am happy Jind Mahi reconnects us.”

So, did Sonam, who has more films to her credit, bully Ajay? He answers, “No, she didn’t and now she has lost her chance after doing two films with me.” As for stories from the sets, Ajay shares, “There were two tough scenes. For one, we had to film till seven in the morning as we had the permission to shoot only that night. The other one was where Sonam slapped me!” Sonam adds, “Although I regretted instantly, but it’s the most dramatic scene. I remember the sound of the slap was such that people on the sets were stunned.” Both Sonam and Ajay are quite excited for their film which is releasing on August 5.