“Kal Aur Ayenge Nagmon Ki Khilti Kaliyan Chunnewaale
Mujhese Behetar Kahenewaale Tumse Behetar Sunnewaale
Kal Koi Mujhko Yaad Karey Kyun Koi Mujhko Yaad Karey
Masroof Zamana Mere Liye Kyun Waqt Apna Barbad Karey
Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon…..”
These touching lines might have been written by and for a shaayar but without any doubt it applies to everyone, especially the ones who’ve been in the limelight. The fact of their life is that creativity might remain with them forever, or the works they have done may live for a long time but their popularity is short-lived. However, we know exceptions are always there…. But they are very very few in number.
Punjabi film industry has given lot of talented and popular actors. But tell me honestly, out of all, how many of them do we remember at all? And, the million-dollar-question is where are they now?
Take the case of Satish Kaul who was a big name in the 70s and 80s in Punjabi as well Hindi movies. A kashmiri-by-birth, he’s well versed with Punjabi language and has given super-hit Punjabi movies like Sassi-Punnu, Ishq Nimana, Suhaag Chooda and Patola to name a few. He made his entry in Punjabi cinema with Dera Ashiqan Da in 1979. He was quite a celebrated actor of Punjabi movies but after few years of working here, he shifted to hindi movies and small screen where he could not manage to get lead roles but still quite good character roles. Few years back, he started his own Acting Academy also, but couldn’t continue it due to lack of funds and today, if this news is to be believed, he’s forced to live in a Senior Citizen home of Ludhiana. Is that what glamour does to actors?
Not all the actors meet this fate. Sometimes, it’s the option of an actor to stay away from the limelight. Take the case of Rama Vij…. What a popular name it was in 1980s. Be it Punjabi movies or small screen. She has given hit Punjabi movies like Kachehri, Gabbroo Punjab Da, Dhee Rani, Suneha, Veera, Takraar, Chann Pardesee, Khushiaan and got even a National Award for her performance in Chann Pardesee and Kachehri. And now coming to the small screen who can forget ‘teacher ji’ of the serial Nukkad, alongwith her other popular serials like Himalaya Darshan and Chunni. She was last seen in 2004-released Punjabi movie, Mitter Pyare Nu Haal Mureedan Da Kehna. But the fact remains, where has she been all these years and where is she now. Why don’t we get to hear much about this beautiful and talented actress. Could it be age-factor or a matter-of-choice?
Who can forget Comedian Mehar Mittal without whom almost no major Punjabi film was made in the 1980s. A lawyer by profession, he started acting at the age of 35 and will be remembered till eternity for his comic roles in movies like Chann Pardesee, Putt Jattan De, Nimmo, Jeeja Saali alongwith so many others. He also worked in hindi movies Hum to Chale Pardes and was last seen in 1998-released Punjabi movie Qahar. But again, the same question arises that an actor, without whom big producers and directors couldn’t even think of making a movie in 1980s is nowhere in scene when the Punjabi film industry is booming like never before in terms of production values and creativity. Is it again age-factor or a matter of choice. Well, we really can’t comment.
Preeti Sapru, one of the most popular actresses of Punjabi movies has given hits like Uchcha Dar Baabe Nanak Da, Aasra Pyaar Da, Nimmo etc. Apart from Punjabi films, she has also worked in Bollywood, in movies like Lawaaris, Aaj Ka Arjun, Nazrana etc. A kashmiri-by-birth, she is very fluent in Punjabi. A beautiful face who has seen success like very few have, especially in Punjabi cinema, is seen at the awards functions these days. But the question remains that why was the success so short-lived? People of film fraternity have lot of respect for her and her fans have lot of appreciation then why don’t we see more of her on the silver screen.
Veerendra Singh also was one popular actors of Punjabi film industry who was introduced by He-man Dharmendra in the Punjabi movie Teri Meri Ik Jind in 1975. After that, he gave many hits like Lambardarni, Sarpanch, Batwara and Yaari Jatt Di and was also seen in two hindi films Khel Muqaddar Ka which came out in 1981 and Do Chehere that got released in the year 1977. But unfortunately he was assassinated on 6 December 1988 during the shooting of the film Dushmani di Agg. He was one of the most popular actors of Punjabi cinema but today only his movies can speak for him. But yes, his case is entirely different.
These are those few actors who have seen immense popularity and success in their days of glory. And today they get due regard for their work. No matter, their fans would still love to see them again today. But then….. no one can fight with the NATURE which says….
Kal Aur Aayenge Nagmon Ki Khilti Kaliyaan Chunnewaale
Mujhse Behetar Kahenewaale Tumse Behetar Sunnewaale………
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