Exclusive: Maniesh Paul Talks About His Punjabi Movie 'Banjar'

Maniesh Paul is a household name, who has started his career with television and has risen up working in Punjabi and Hindi film industry. The actor made a comeback to Punjabi cinema with the PTC Box Office movie 'Banjar'.

Maniesh talked exclusively with PTC Punjabi about the movie and his role. Here are the excerpts from his exclusive interview with PTC Punjabi:

Q. How was your experience shooting the film?

A. Shooting for the film was fantastic, I was playing a sardaar for the first time, wearing a turban for the first time. For the first time, I have shot a short film for Punjabi and I had a fabulous time.

Q. How did you choose to do this film, what attracted you to the script?

A. I think the intensity of the script really attracted me, the topic that we are discussing to never give up is very interesting. The story of a farmer, and how hard work never fails. All these things really attracted and obviously, I get to play a look which I have never played is what attracted me to do the film.

Q. What are you expectations from the film?

A. All I expect is that people should watch this film, they should learn something from this film. The great message that we have is to never give up, hard work never fails is what we want to convey from the film. This is what I expect people to learn from the film.

Q. Why did you opt for Punjabi cinema to make a comeback?

A. Comeback.. Comeback is when somebody goes away, I never went anywhere. I am still doing films in Bollywood. Yes, this is my first in Punjabi cinema. Now-a-days actors are doing everything and its a wide medium, and they are exploring everything. So, I don't think I have left something and come back.

Q. Do you intend to work in Punjabi film industry now, Any other projects ?

A. Its not only Punjabi cinema, I wish to work in all kind of medium, all kind of languages. Whoever gives me a good script, whichever film I feel I could do justice to, I'll love to do that.

Q. How challenging the role was for you?

A. It was obviously challenging. I am playing this kind of role for the first time. It's totally intense. I am known for doing a lot of comedy, so taking a u-turn from that is definitely challenging, but I had a wonderful time portraying the character.

Maniesh also said, "Also I would like to emphasize on forces of nature how the film connects the forces of nature as our gurus, our ancient books have been saying this always and it’s very relevant in today’s times where we talk about water conservation, if we treat these elements as our gurus then we will never abuse them."

The movie was showcased at PTC Punjabi on March 15.