Q. Gabbar Sangrur, first of all let’s talk about your film White Punjab in which I heard a dialogue that says that when any fight reaches our homes, especially affects our women and children, then beware that the end is pretty much near. What do you have to say about this?
A. You see every writer has his or her own perspective and so does the viewer. My thought is that if there is any quarrel or fight then it should be sorted out man-to-man and its impact should not reach our children or the ladies. Our society is based on respect for the females and it is our duty to honour that. Any fight or quarrel however big or small comes at a price and let’s ensure that we all stay from all this as much as possible.
Q. Tell us about White Punjab?
A. It is a film that makes people think and as writers, we have to be very sensitive in what we portray on screen. There might be a few scenes that might shake our listeners on one side, but on the other side we also have to ensure that our work should not give any ideas to criminal minds by whatever we write.
Q. While writing this film did you ever imagine any particular actor who might be considered a part of the star cast?
A. Our writing is surely inspired from what we witness all around us, be it family, friends, strangers etc., plus the writer’s personal experiences also come in very handy. Yes, there are a few characters that I created for this film and only those actors whom I envisaged, while writing are playing the roles.
Q. Who was the very first person with whom you shared the first draft of your story of White Punjab?
A. I have a friend Arsh from Ganganagar who was continually in the loop. He was with us while all the writing process was going on. I also share all my work across the horizon, so that I can gauge their perspectives too. Then I gave narration to many others too and the feedback was really good.
Q. One good thing about your film is that it does not promote gun culture, actually when the youngsters will see it then they will realise that how bad that world is and all that is detrimental to your life and career?
A. We are proud of the fact that we did not show the shiny or glamorous side of the gangsters’ life unlike what mainstream media tries to project. We were very sensitive towards this and went to the extent of showing how the family and relatives suffer once the family member becomes a gangster. Plus we have also tried to show a side where we have captured the dark side and the fact that how these gangsters themselves feel scared and it is that complex that leads to them killing and shedding even more blood.
Q. How do you and your team wish to take the message of White Punjab to the youth of Punjab?
A. White Punjab is the metaphor of our sad journey from ‘White Kurtas to White Shrouds’. My target is to take this film to schools and colleges or any other place for that matter, so that we can show it to the youth and make them aware of the dark side of the world of drugs, guns etc. We intend to do that in the earnest and are hopeful we will surely be successful in generating more awareness amongst the youth.
Q. It is heartening to note that the ticket price for this film in all multiplexes was only Rs 99 which is quite unprecedented. How did this happen?
A. We are happy about this fact and it was all a joint effort. I requested everyone to kindly go and watch the film in theatres, so that with your support, new production houses can be supported and we have the courage to keep on creating meaningful content.
Q. Other than writing or busy with work, do you manage to find time to travel?
A. I am both a homebody and also a traveller, but I travel usually for work- related purposes. Other than that, meeting new people is always a rejuvenating experience.
Q. Any parting lines.
A. Presently, our Punjab needs a lot of positivity to nourish it. All these years, we have witnessed a tsunami of negativity and it is our moral duty to showcase positivity in order to bring back the glory, for which our lovely State is famous, all across the world.
