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Sohna Munda
Manpreet Singh
Jagmohan Singh
 'Jo
Bole So Nihal'
could not sustain on the silver screen as it was conceived in sin.
It was meant to use the Sikh greeting and slogan and cash in on
viewership of Sikhs, continuing the gameplan of denigrating their
very image. However, the second part of the slogan, "Sat Sri
Akal" in the form of a new movie is not only likely to hit the
screens in the coming months, but will certainly be a hit amongst
Sikh and Punjabi audiences.
The Sikhs have
been dying to see a Sabat Soorat Sikh on cinema and
television screens for a very long time. The image of the Sikhs in
Bollywood has taken a severe beating for long.
No more.
We now have
Manpreet Singh from Mumbai, who like Manmeet Singh is leading the
wave of turbaned and bearded Sikh role models in cinema, television
and the ad world. They have taken upon themselves the mantle of
leading from the front the battle of respect for turban and the Sikh
image in the world of acting.
With a
graduation degree in Mass media and a post-graduate degree in
management studies from the Bombay University, Manpreet Singh has
had a chequered and versatile career so far. Emerging as an artiste
through participation in inter-college events and anchoring
programmes for a variety of singers from Punjab, Manpreet Singh is
now anxiously awaiting the release of his first full length Punjabi
movie Sat Sri Akal, produced by th e
Mata Tripta Trust and dedicated to the Tercentenary celebrations of
Guruship of Guru Granth Sahib. Based on a true story, the movie has
a wholesome offering of Shabads and songs with a socio-religious
message, not only for the Sikhs but for humankind. Shot at
locations at various places in
Punjab,
the movie is historic in more ways than one.
Having played
key roles in a plethora of TV serials from Yeh Meri Life Hai
to Kahi to Milenge, young and dynamic Manpreet has directed
social message films and acted in corporate ad films, including ones
for Microsoft and ESPN sports.
Like many
present day youngsters, Sikh boys and girls also clamour for the
glamour. The likes of Manpreet Singh, Manmeet Singh, Ishmeet Singh
and Rohanpreet Singh are growing. Like in all spheres of life, they
want a niche and are determined to have their way.
Some years ago
when the die was cast against them and Sikhs were being ridiculed in
cinema, Jaspal Singh became Grasim Mr. India International in 2002
and was the first saabat soorat Sikh model to do so. The trend
started and we now have regular Mr. Singh International contests.
Since then we have had many Sikh stars walking the ramp in pomp and
glory. Let us hope that this glory will refurbish the image of the
Sikhs.
Anita Kim while
writing about 'Sikh Roles, Representations and Revenge in the Media,
writes, "Despite the dominant media influence, Sikhs around the
world have taken up the challenge to reconstruct their social image
and spread knowledge of their religion to Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike.
Ironically, one of their most potent tactics is by using the methods
initially used against them. Sikhs are using radio, television,
journals, the internet, and other sources of media to rebuild their
image and strengthen the communication between each other." This is
a good beginning.
 Meet
Manpreet Singh
The young man with a cute smile, a glint in his eyes, wearing a
flashy clothesline and sporting a modern look, and keeping his moral
values intact. He is the new soft image of the Sikhs. But he is
not only soft. He has won the title of Iron Man and a prize in
Power lifting. The chic Sikh from Mumbai is set to take on Bollywood
and soon Indian filmwallahs may find it difficult to stereotype
Sikhs.
WSN had a quick
chat with Manpreet Singh to find out more about him and the future
of Sikhs in Bollywood.
WSN:
Manpreet Singh nu kis naal preet hai?
Manpreet
Singh:
Apne parents, apni family, apne dharma, rab di banayee har cheez
te insaniyat naal –I love my parents, my family, my religion,
God’s creations and humanity.
WSN:
When and how did you choose acting as a career?
Manpreet
Singh:
I started my acting career in the year 2000 and now I run my own
production house called 9a Entertainment.
WSN:
Have you ever been told to cut your hair or beard in order to be
granted a role? Is this normal?
Manpreet
Singh:
Yes I was offered a role in a Hindi film where the director wanted
me to cut my hair. I refused. The Mumbai Mirror newspaper in Mumbai
published my story, “Not without my turban”. This is a normal trend
in the Indian film industry where they think that a Sabat soorat
Sikh cannot be a hero. There is a similar trend in Punjabi films too
as so far there has not been one.
 WSN:
How
will this be undone?
Manpreet
Singh:
Fortunately
times are changing. More and more youngsters with faith in the Guru
are coming forward to perform and display their acting skills.
Most of them are steadfast in their beliefs and strong enough to
rebut malafide moves. By the grace of God and the farsightedness of
the Mata Tripta Trust at Mohali, even I have got a chance to prove
the film pundits wrong. I am playing the lead role in a forthcoming
Punjabi film, “Sat Sri Akal” and I hope and pray that the
film will mark the beginning of a welcome change in the perception
of Sikh artistes and that of the Sikh community.
WSN:
Now that you
have done many roles in TV serials, ad films and cinema, how do you
propose to fight the trend of denigrating the Sikhs? Do you
see the possibility of Sikh Actors forming an association and
lobbying with the Film Censor Board?
Manpreet
Singh:
Yes. Along with
actors like Manmeet Singh, we plan to form a body of Sikh artistes,
which would work in tandem with various production houses to ensure
that the looks and character of a Sikh in a film is vetted before it
is broadcast. The preliminary discussions are on and soon it will
take shape.
WSN:
Do the Sikhs
need a soft image?
Manpreet
Singh:
Indeed. The
multifarious personalities of Sikhs need to be portrayed more
comprehensively. We need to show that we are Sant-Sipahi and not
just fighters and jokers as is being characterized so far.
WSN:
On screen,
what needs to be done to counter the image damage of Sikhs in
cinema?
Manpreet
Singh:
To and extent we are responsible for spoiling our image. Our
reaction to our pigeonholing has been slow, ineffective and
wanting. Everytime a film slurs our image; we should take immediate
and thorough action. On screen, we need to tell producers and
directors that we are not just to play the characters of the dhaba
waala and the taxi driver. We are prime ministers, ministers,
members of parliament, doctors, researchers, engineers, CEOs,
pilots, lawyers, journalists, teachers, bankers and more. We excel
in our chosen professions and the world has to see us differently.
WSN:
Tell us
something about your best moment?
Manpreet
Singh:
My best moment
so far was one when I recieved the Sikh Gaurav award in 2005 in
Amritsar.
My parents were present there and according to me it was one of the
best gifts I could give in return for all that they had done for me.
WSN:
Apart from
films, what more do you do to promote Sikhism?
Manpreet
Singh:
We organise a
hunt called Mr Singh
India in Mumbai
which is on for the last two years.
WSN:
Do you
attribute your success to your own efforts or the collaborative
efforts of the community?
Manpreet
Singh:
Undoubtedly,
it is the collaborative efforts of the community. But for the
trust reposed in me by the Trust in Mohali it would not have been
possible to play the role of the first Sikh hero.
WSN:
What would
you say to young Sikh aspirants –boys and girls –who want to make it
big in the world of cinema?
Manpreet
Singh: I
just want to say that “do not get carried away with the glitz of
glamour, don’t compromise with your religious beliefs. Remember,
‘Waqt badal raha hai doston.”
30
April 2008
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