Sing is King

Sample the current top bestsellers and almost all have a song up their sleeve: Harbhajan Mann in Heer Ranjha,Babbu Maan’s Ekam,Jasbir Jassi’s recent hit Khushiya that was screened at Cannes,and Sarabjit Cheema’s appreciated roles in Welcome to Punjab and Apni Boli Apna Des and last but not least,Mika Singh,who debuted with Mitti last year. If more names are to be mentioned,then singers like Gursewak Mann,Mika Singh too have tried their luck in films. These men may not look the part but have never been known for their six pack abs or ace acting skills. However,what is it that makes the Punjabi film industry still sign on singers as the leading men?

“Instant recall value,” says singer Dolly Guleria. “It’s the instant connect and already established association with the masses that has made them the first choice for filmmakers,”

she says.

Singer Navanjat Singh thinks that Punjab also went through Partition and terrorism,and therefore a talent drain to Bollywood. He adds that with a sizable portion of the Punjabi industry moving to Lahore and Mumbai,there was a vacuum left in the film world,filled by a train of average hardcore ‘Jatt’ films. “We were not making good cinema at all. The 17 years post the golden era,the entire ‘80s and ‘90s only produced high voltage Pakistani dramas and none of them worked with the audience barring a Gurdas Maan film,” says Singh. So,the producers and directors worked on the opportunity. Since casting Gurdass Maan worked,the trend to cast other singers as actors followed and has become big now.

Gurdas Maan and Harbhajan Mann have had a solid fan base for some time,and while they may not be great actors,Guleria adds that they bring good business. “Punjabi music industry has suffered a lot of setbacks,and singing stars for films make for a lucrative business model,” says Guleria,who adds that these singers have the right Punjabi feel and accent and and have been accepted by the masses.

While singers continue to dominate the Punjabi film scene,Singh tweaked the rules of the game by roping in Jimmy Shergill for his films including the current rage,Dharti.

However,according to producer-director and owner of a leading music company Gaurav Trehan,“If they are popular,then why not use the opportunity.”

Films,points out thespian Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry ,are a powerful and irresistible medium to connect with people. “One becomes instantly visible. The singers also see an opportunity in it to attain the next level of stardom,” she says.

Talk to comedian Jaspal Bhatti,and he calls it all a charade. “With limited finances,it becomes an expensive proposition to launch a newcomer and rake in big bucks. So,makers look for readymade stars as marketing tools,” says Bhatti,who is not happy with the concept. “Singers as leading men is a concept,which is unique to Punjabi film industry. It is nowhere in India,yet I would prefer actors to do acting job,” says Bhatti.

Guleria echoes the same thought,“On any given day our leading men are better singers than actors.”