“PUNJABI CINEMA MUST GET ITS ACT TOGETHER”

Punjabi film actor Roshan Prince tells SIMPLY PUNJABI that there are multiple factors responsible for the downfall of Punjabi cinema. Versatile actor Roshan Prince, who has to his credit several blockbusters including Naughty Jatts and Sirphire, thinks that the Punjabi film industry is going through an all-time low phase. Attributing to the large number of meaningless films, Prince says, “No one is paying any attention to quality of the scripts. Every film has a similar storyline. There is an omnipresent love triangle and the same kind of comedy. We can’t take the audience for granted like that.”

The actor, who won critical acclaim for Kirpan, adds, “Unless meaningful cinema is produced, Punjabi films will find it very tough to leave a mark.” Prince says he hates being typecast and has always striven to take up different roles. “My aim is to grow as an actor and show the audience the different sides of my craft. I know romantic comedies are ruling the charts, but I still went ahead and did a serious film like Ki rpan. It may have flopped at the box-office but I am happy with the effort I put in my role.” Over the years, the Punjabi film industry has witnessed several new producers entering the fray, who, Prince feels, have also had a negative impact on the industry. “One needs to understand that the sole aim of these people is to make money, not films. Fearing a negative result at the box-office, no producer is ready to sponsor a serious film. They don’t realise that this art form calls for a lot of dedication.”