Meet this film star who scores full marks

One minute she is buried in books, poring over notes, prepping for exams and acing them, and the next, turning heads with her impressive stage presence and that infectious charm – yes, it’s a role tailor made and penned especially for leading ladies of the silver screen. But when it comes to Diljott, this actor of Punjabi films is living it. Armed with multiple degrees – Public Policy from Harvard University, USA, International Development from University of British Columbia, Canada to Master’s in Human Rights and Duties from Panjab University, BA in Psychology from PU, NGO Management from Amity University, Diljott’s ‘topper’ academic career is exemplary. “I’ve also done graduation in Kathak,” chips in Diljott, standing tall in her orange tube dress, ready to talk about her upcoming film, Rang Ratta that releases this March 24.

Actress, scholar, humanitarian – by the way, she also runs her NGO, Dream Buds Foundation, Diljott’s passion for the creative arts took over and she decided to step into the world of Punjabi cinema. “Even in school, I was active on stage, be it debates, plays, music, dance, I kept looking for creative gratification. I remember my first play, in Class VII at DPS, Chandigarh, and we went for a dubbing session for it,” recalls Diljott. Academics, however, never took a backseat. She straddled both, till university, shining on both fronts. “Those were the days when I would have this really tight time table, study hours, practise time, shooting time. I strongly feel education, especially for girls, is very important. It goes beyond just books, it lends a sense of independence, security, shapes our thought process and personality, makes us confident and rational, and no matter what, always helps us,” says Diljott, who, today also applies her experience and knowledge in her motivational videos, Monday’s with Diljott. “As an actor, when I travelled and talked with people, I realised how important communication is, reaching out, listening and discussing issues that matter, uplifting spirits, and helping people be positive,” says Diljott, who shot to fame with Diljit Dosanjh’s song, Patiala Peg. Offers poured in, and Diljott found herself with more work – films like Tesha, Khatre Da Ghuggu, Nanak, Yaar Anmulle 2, English film 5 Weddings, music videos, her own musical tracks, events etc. Now, she is looking forward to her next, Rang Ratta directed by Gurcharan Singh and starring Roshan Prince and Gurpreet Ghuggi. A romantic film, Rang Ratta is close to her heart because the character she is essaying resonates with her. “Simran is a simpleton who goes with a lot of dreams and aspirations to Canada only to see them shatter, and no one to help her. But instead of falling, she rises up to the challenge, faces them and survives beautifully,” narrates Diljott, connecting with the resilient, optimistic character of Simran who works towards her independence – financial and emotional. “I play a cab driver, and it was fun driving on the roads of Ontario. It’s en route she meets Roshan’s character, Karan, and the story progresses,” Diljott shares that Rang Ratta means ‘drenched in the colours of love’. “No one can survive without love in this world.”

With the Punjabi film landscape changing rapidly, Diljott finds herself at an interesting junction, one that has the industrywallahs presenting better stories, meatier roles and more work. “It has accelerated post pandemic, and I do see some professionalism and experimentation, and this race to do more,” says the actress looking forward to her Hindi film, Krispy Rishtey directed by Sartaj Singh Solanki, aiming to pick roles that are not ‘decorative or objectified’ but those that are impactful.

For an artist, the list of people one would like to work with, the craving for better work, scripts, teams, experiences is always endless. For instance, she would love to work with Amrinder Gill and Satinder Sartaaj, probably pursue direction in the long run, and venture into more languages and creative aspects of the world of cinema. She agrees women have a negligible presence behind the camera in Punjabi cinema. “We are yet to see a director of photography, or directors or more writers, music composers, even pay parity! Imagine, Priyanka Chopra said she got paid at par after 22 years! We need a sisterhood, because even if today, someone leaves a project due to some discrimination or difference, another girl steps in for way lesser amount. There is a need for more unity, for more women at the helm of affairs. The day more women come into Punjabi cinema, it will explode.” Amen to that.