Modern Talking

A seven-year sales pitch that a group of friends promise each other in college — is the premise of upcoming Punjabi film,Yaaran da Katchup,which was announced recently and is being shot in the city these days. And yes,the “k” is all pun intended,for the catch-up does translate into a big goof-up. “We all have loads of friends during college and school,but eventually,we lose touch with our buddies. Through this film,we are trying to bring back those good-old days,and rekindle that bond by meeting regularly,” says the film’s director,Abhay Baiju Chabbra.

Vivicam Entertainment’s debut Punjabi venture,Yaaran Da Katchup is about “modern Punjab and Punjabis”. “There is no pind or jatt here; it’s strictly urban in its treatment,” says Vikram Bansal,the film’s creative producer. Besides,the film has technicians from Bollywood,action director K Ganesh Kumar from down south,and Chandigarh and Thailand as locations. Even the star cast includes city-slickers such as Anita Hassanandani,Yuvika Chaudhary,Fukrey fame Varun Sharma,Shimla-based model Shagun Jaswal,city-based theatre artiste Anil Juneja and singer Hardy Sandhu. The film also marks the return of the original comedy king,Mehar Mittal.

“People don’t expect comedy from female writers. There is tough competition,but this is an entertaining script with all the masala,action and romance,” says Rubina,the film’s writer. Even though it comes across as a guy flick,Bansal says it’s the women who control the guys. “They all catch up with their wives and partners after seven years,so yes,the women call the shots,” he adds. Are we sensing a Hangover meets Grown Ups?