Veteran Punjabi actor and filmmaker Rana Ranbir, having witnessed the fluctuating fortunes of the regional film industry for years, frequently faces a pressing question: Why does Punjabi cinema struggle to achieve the national dominance enjoyed by southern film industries?
The Core Challenges Facing Punjabi Cinema
Speaking at the launch of his eighth book, a 144-page poetic compilation titled 'Aaho', Ranbir offered a nuanced critique. He stated that the issue is complex and not seemingly simple. A key problem, according to the 'Ardaas' actor, is that Punjab lacks pure filmmakers and is dominated by investors, unlike the south.
"We are in the race to be herded by any one trend, whether it’s an NRI subject, comedy, or drama. This region lacks individuality, and our stories are missing," Ranbir explained. He highlighted another significant hurdle: linguistic proximity. Punjab's audience shares closeness with Hindi and English, unlike southern audiences who are largely native-language-centric. This creates direct competition with Bollywood and Hollywood for the same viewers.
Looking Inwards for Solutions and a New Creative Venture
Addressing the recent concern of dwindling theatre audiences for Punjabi films, Ranbir posed a counter-question: "If the audience is not watching Punjabi films in theatres, why are they seeing 'Dhurandhar'? We need to look inwards for solutions." The actor, who has also directed films like 'Asees', 'Posti', and 'Mansuba', emphasized introspection within the industry.
Shifting focus to his literary passion, Ranbir described most of his writing as empirical. "I write about words vanishing from the local dialect, about observing how women find expression even in mundane household chores," he shared. His new book, 'Aaho', is a blend of motivational and spiritual dialogues drawn from everyday life.
"Humanity needs to be guided about love that transcends gender, personal relationships, and romance," he said, describing the book's nature. "This lack, which is not taught at schools or colleges, is important to instill in people and is the kind of love our gurus spoke about. My poems also talk about relationships that refresh and uplift, and about things we can do to inspire ourselves."
Juggling Multiple Roles and Upcoming Projects
When asked how he manages his time as an actor, author, director, and scriptwriter, Ranbir shared his philosophy. "When we start recognizing our inner energy, we can achieve many things. Also, when we realize that life is finite and we all have limited time, then you learn about time management," he noted. He writes between shooting schedules, while traveling, and during waits at airports.
He humorously added, "If we learn to write and read, a lot of visits to doctors will be reduced." On a reflective note, he commented on modern parenting, "We are giving phones to young kids so that we get time for ourselves."
On the acting front, Ranbir has some forthcoming projects. These include 'Ishqa De Lekhe', an upcoming Punjabi film starring Gurnam Bhullar and Isha Malviya, and 'Jawaak', which features Neeru Bajwa.
