Whenever we talk about the Comedy of error genre in Punjabi Cinema, a name often buzz in our minds, and this name is none other than Smeep Kang. He has made his own ground in Punjabi Cine Industry with his hard work and amazing sense of comedy. Undoubtedly, He is father of Comedy of error genre in this rapidly developing industry. In an exclusive interview with Breaking Bollywood, director Smeep Kang has shared his experiences and achievements.
Q1. From 'Mahual Thik Hai' to 'Carry On Jatta', from a struggling actor to star director, can you explain this journey in few words?
Ans: Obviously not, it is very tough to explain this long journey in few words. When i was studying in Chandigarh in a technical college, Late. Jaspal Bhatti ji offered me a leading role in 'Mahaul Thik Hai', a comic sattire on corruption in Police Department. I experimented my acting skills with that role, but i was not critically accepted by our film critics. It was the time, when i decided to be part of the creative team as an director and film like Carry On Jatta happened.
Q2. How you get star studded 'Carry On Jatta'?
Ans: After the commercially failure of Chak de Phatte, Harbhajan Maan gave me a chance to direct is upcoming family drama with new rising singing sensation Gippy Grewal, but due to some issues Gippy rejected that movie and asked me to work on any another script. Then i started to write Punjabi Cinema`s first comedy of error subject, Carry on Jatta. After the super success of Mel Kara De Rabba and Jihne Mera Dil Lutya, Gippy just not only star in the film, he even produced it with his brother Sippy Grewal.
Q3. How was your experience to work with Gippy Grewal?
Ans: Gippy Grewal is undoubtedly a brilliant singer and hard working actor. He is improving his acting skills day by day. I don`t know, you have noticed or not, but his performance in 'Bhaji in Problem' is his best performance till date. Hope, he will do same in his future projects.
Q4. How was your experience to work with Akshay Kumar and Viacom 18 in your last project 'Bhaji in Problem'?
Ans: There is no word to appreciate the efforts of 'Akki Bhaji', which he has done for us. He is one of the great actor and producer today we have in our country. Akshay is a producer with the combination of discipline and professionalism. Even, i was in shock after listening his pure accent of Punjabi. And Viacom 18 is a big corporate and distribution house, but surely they have to learn a lot to be a permanent part of this regional industry.
Smeep Kang with Prince Vij (Right To Left)
Q5. Your previous project 'Bhaji in Problem' is not a huge success. Any reason?
Ans: We have done very hard work on script and creative level. But obviously, lack of ground promotion is only reason behind the decent business of the film. Viacom 18 and Grazing Goat production`s lack experience about marketing may be a big reason.
Q6. Nowadays, Punjabi films are giving tough competition to Bollywood biggies in Australia and Newzealand. The latest comparison is Chennai Express VS Jatt and Juliet 2. Do you have any specific reason for this?
Ans: No doubt, Australia and Newzealand are biggest territories for Punjabi films. The only reason behind this is the number of Punjabi`s are living in these countries. According to a survey conducted by Punjabvision.com, mostly Punjabi`s prefer punjabi film as compare to Bollywood stuff. It is the only reason that Jatt and Juliet 2 and Bhaji In Problem have done phenominal business that Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan starrers.
Q7. In current scenario, only singer cum actors are doing big project rather than professional actors. Why our film makers are not giving more preference to professional actors, who really know the A,B and C of Acting?
Ans: Firstly, singer cum actors have great fan followings in their filed and their fan base plays a very important role during the opening weekend of the film. If we compare the collections of Gippy Grewal starrer with Harish Verma starrer, then it is obvious that Gippy is a clear winner. No doubt, we have versatile actors like Jimmy Shergill, but audience is not accepting versatility, they demands just senseless script. Secondly, singers cum actors are the reasons behind the hit music album of every film.
Q8. I have loved your work as an actor in 'Lucky Di Unlucky Story'. Do you think, you should do more acting assignments?
Ans: Well, Thank You Prince for the compliment. Yes, i wants to do few more acting assignments, if i will get interesting offer. But it is difficult to do acting in own direction. Because i mostly work with big star cast, so i can`t manage the frame with my self as an actor.
Q9. Can you please aware our readers about your upcoming projects?
Ans: Currently, i am doing 'Double di Trouble' with Dharmendra and Gippy Grewal. It is going through its last schedule and slated to release early next year. Carry On Jatta 2 will go on floors in the first week of March and may be release till the end of the year. I am making my debut in bollywood with an untitled film, which will star Gippy Grewal in leading role. This film will be produced by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts banner.
Q10. Your personal favorite actors?
Ans: Dharamendra is my favourite bollywood actor and Gippy Grewal is my favorite Punjabi film actor.
Interview Conducted By:
Prince Vij
Q1. From 'Mahual Thik Hai' to 'Carry On Jatta', from a struggling actor to star director, can you explain this journey in few words?
Ans: Obviously not, it is very tough to explain this long journey in few words. When i was studying in Chandigarh in a technical college, Late. Jaspal Bhatti ji offered me a leading role in 'Mahaul Thik Hai', a comic sattire on corruption in Police Department. I experimented my acting skills with that role, but i was not critically accepted by our film critics. It was the time, when i decided to be part of the creative team as an director and film like Carry On Jatta happened.
Q2. How you get star studded 'Carry On Jatta'?
Ans: After the commercially failure of Chak de Phatte, Harbhajan Maan gave me a chance to direct is upcoming family drama with new rising singing sensation Gippy Grewal, but due to some issues Gippy rejected that movie and asked me to work on any another script. Then i started to write Punjabi Cinema`s first comedy of error subject, Carry on Jatta. After the super success of Mel Kara De Rabba and Jihne Mera Dil Lutya, Gippy just not only star in the film, he even produced it with his brother Sippy Grewal.
Q3. How was your experience to work with Gippy Grewal?
Ans: Gippy Grewal is undoubtedly a brilliant singer and hard working actor. He is improving his acting skills day by day. I don`t know, you have noticed or not, but his performance in 'Bhaji in Problem' is his best performance till date. Hope, he will do same in his future projects.
Q4. How was your experience to work with Akshay Kumar and Viacom 18 in your last project 'Bhaji in Problem'?
Ans: There is no word to appreciate the efforts of 'Akki Bhaji', which he has done for us. He is one of the great actor and producer today we have in our country. Akshay is a producer with the combination of discipline and professionalism. Even, i was in shock after listening his pure accent of Punjabi. And Viacom 18 is a big corporate and distribution house, but surely they have to learn a lot to be a permanent part of this regional industry.
Q5. Your previous project 'Bhaji in Problem' is not a huge success. Any reason?
Ans: We have done very hard work on script and creative level. But obviously, lack of ground promotion is only reason behind the decent business of the film. Viacom 18 and Grazing Goat production`s lack experience about marketing may be a big reason.
Q6. Nowadays, Punjabi films are giving tough competition to Bollywood biggies in Australia and Newzealand. The latest comparison is Chennai Express VS Jatt and Juliet 2. Do you have any specific reason for this?
Ans: No doubt, Australia and Newzealand are biggest territories for Punjabi films. The only reason behind this is the number of Punjabi`s are living in these countries. According to a survey conducted by Punjabvision.com, mostly Punjabi`s prefer punjabi film as compare to Bollywood stuff. It is the only reason that Jatt and Juliet 2 and Bhaji In Problem have done phenominal business that Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan starrers.
Q7. In current scenario, only singer cum actors are doing big project rather than professional actors. Why our film makers are not giving more preference to professional actors, who really know the A,B and C of Acting?
Ans: Firstly, singer cum actors have great fan followings in their filed and their fan base plays a very important role during the opening weekend of the film. If we compare the collections of Gippy Grewal starrer with Harish Verma starrer, then it is obvious that Gippy is a clear winner. No doubt, we have versatile actors like Jimmy Shergill, but audience is not accepting versatility, they demands just senseless script. Secondly, singers cum actors are the reasons behind the hit music album of every film.
Q8. I have loved your work as an actor in 'Lucky Di Unlucky Story'. Do you think, you should do more acting assignments?
Ans: Well, Thank You Prince for the compliment. Yes, i wants to do few more acting assignments, if i will get interesting offer. But it is difficult to do acting in own direction. Because i mostly work with big star cast, so i can`t manage the frame with my self as an actor.
Q9. Can you please aware our readers about your upcoming projects?
Ans: Currently, i am doing 'Double di Trouble' with Dharmendra and Gippy Grewal. It is going through its last schedule and slated to release early next year. Carry On Jatta 2 will go on floors in the first week of March and may be release till the end of the year. I am making my debut in bollywood with an untitled film, which will star Gippy Grewal in leading role. This film will be produced by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts banner.
Q10. Your personal favorite actors?
Ans: Dharamendra is my favourite bollywood actor and Gippy Grewal is my favorite Punjabi film actor.
Interview Conducted By:
Prince Vij