Ranjha Vikram Singh has done about 5 to 6 Hindi films but he’s best remembered for his role in as Rajjo Fauji in the Tiger Shroff starrer Heropanti. He’s also done some significant roles in Tamil, Telegu and Kannada films, but Punjabi films are closest to his heart.
From an actor to a producer who makes films under his own banner, Running Horses Films, he’s come a long way in a short span of time. In an exclusive interview with HFT, Ranjha Vikram talks about the subject closest to his heart; the Punjabi film industry or Pollywood as they call it.
Excerpts
HFT: 25 Kille and Motor Mitran that were produced by you in 2016 did well at the box office, tell us a little more about the films.
RVS: We had some of the best directors and technicians from Bollywood and international acclaim working on our projects to ensure the production value and aesthetics were maintained at any cost. No stone has been left unturned here. These movies also saw some big-time Punjabi movie stars like Guggu Gill and Yograj Singh playing some important characters.
HFT: That’s great! Since you’ve done films in Hindi and some regional languages from the South and you act in and produce Punjabi films, tell us how the Punjabi film scene has changed over the years in Pollywood.
RVS: With the influx of visionary directors, fantastic actors, renowned music artists, Pollywood is doing better than it did before. Punjabi films have always been an attractive avenue for stars from various spheres especially Bollywood stars who have graced this industry with their superlative talent.
HFT: Can you name a few of the Bollywood celebrities who have made a mark in Pollywood?
RVS: Many actors and filmmakers started their career in Punjabi films. Among the current stars, Diljit Dosanjh , Jimmy Shergill, Harbhajan Mann, Divya Dutt, and Gippy Grewal who have carved a niche for themselves in Pollywood and among the senior actors, it was Prithvi Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Neetu Singh, Simi Garewal etc. who made a mark on Punjabi cinema too.
HFT: Who among the Hindi film actors is your personal favorite?
RVS: (he takes just a fraction of a second to )answer this one.; Akshay Kumar. Akshay has been one of the key touch bearers of Punjabi influences in Bollywood. Also, his films like Singh is Kinng, Patiala House, Singh is Bling, captured the values and true essence of Punjab.
HFT: How important a part does music play in Pollywood or Bollywood for that matter?
RVS: Music is a critical part of films, similarly Punjabi films too and that’s also the reason why we encourage a lot of new talent when it comes to music. Punjabi singers like Gurdas Mann, Babbu Mann and Gippy Grewal have made a positive impact in the Punjabi music scene. While singers and musicians like Daler Mehndi, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Jaspinder Narula, Bally Sagoo, Baba Sehgal, Sukhbir, Jazzy B, Mika Singh have done great work internationally.
HFT: If you had to make a choice between Bollywood, Tollywood or Pollywood, which one would you choose?
RVS: That’s a very difficult choice as I have enjoyed working for all of them. Also as an actor, my choice does not depend on the type of cinema but mostly depends on the nature of the roll and the character I play. Having said that, I look forward to some very interesting projects in Pollywood, Bollywood, and Internationally too.
Team HFT wishes him All The Best!
