Film/Stage
Chhevan Dariya - The Sixth River
An Interview with the Film Director, ISH AMITOJ KAUR
Q: What according to you should be the qualities of an ideal and successful film?
IAK: Well, first of all, an ideal film may not be a successful film and a successful movie may not necessarily be an ideal movie. An ideal movie should provide a package of art, entertainment and thought provoking ideas - only then is it worth all the painstaking business of making a movie. An ideal film not only entertains, it is also a powerful medium of educating people - it emerges out of a culture and in turn affects that culture.
Q: People go to the theatre for entertainment. Should it be used as a medium to educate people?
IAK: It is a misconception that entertainment in a film is possible only when there is no thought content in it. A film can be a wonderful combination of both. Some filmmakers focus on story, others on event, some entertain, others cater to the artistic impulses of people, still others realize their social obligation and use it as an instrument for social change. Those who combine all the elements together make a lasting impact.
Q: Why do you think there are fewer viewers for Punjabi films? Is it because of the quality of the Punjabi movies?
IAK: That is not the case. There have been times in the history of the Punjabi films when their quality dipped low. But the last decade has been a period of renaissance for the Punjabi movies. In recent times, we have got overseas viewers too. Now my answer to your first question, yes, I agree we have fewer viewers for our Punjabi movies.
Though comparisons are odious, I would like to mention that a Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi or a South Indian, or for that matter, an Italian or French would prefer a regional movie to a movie in another language. The same is not true of a Punjabi. And it is easy to see why not. How many of us converse with our children in Punjabi at home?
We have failed to inculcate love and pride for the mother tongue in the hearts of our younger generation. Then, how do we expect them to have preference for a Punjabi movie?
Q: What is ‘Chhevan Dariya' about?
IAK: A Punjabi living in the land of five rivers will promptly say, "the river of alcohol and drugs"; A Punjabi whose heart beats for Punjab will tell you that Bhai Vir Singh is the "Chhevan Dariya" of Punjab; And those Punjabis who are a catalyst of positivism and welfare of this land are its symbolic sixth river. Now, it is up to the audience to decide in what direction they want this "Chhevan Dariya" to flow!
Q. In the same budget you could have produced a Hindi or an English Movie. Why did you venture to produce a Punjabi Movie?
IAK: Certainly, that is true. In future, I definitely will venture into a wider sphere of the world cinema. That said though, the roots of a filmmaker always follow her in her work. My choice to make my first commercial venture in my mother tongue is very simple - change begins at home. Along my directorial journey, people have told me, "you should make a Hindi film, become famous, and then you can always do something at the community level." My question is, once you have trodden that path, who has the time to retrace it? Robert Frost talks about two paths, one trodden by several people and the other untrodden. His poem, "The Road Not Taken" has always held a special meaning in my life and I have chosen the untrodden path. So here I am!
Q. You are the first woman producer in Punjabi cinema and one of the very few in world cinema. How has the journey been?
IAK: I feel if you are professional and know your job well, you are not put into the category of the ‘weaker sex'. That said, there are elements in society that cannot comprehend women holding lead positions in media or maybe even otherwise. But
during my journey I have seen things change and I am sure there is a better future ahead for women entrepreneurs.
Q. Last but not the least, tell us about the music of the film.
IAK: Well, without sounding boastful, I think the music is terrific - definitely a selling point of the film. And interestingly little birdies in the industry tell me that anybody who has heard it being played in the studio during post-production, has been all praise for it. It has now been released and should be available in stores very soon. The songs have not been used as frivolous fillers but are an integral part of the story. The film is interspersed with six songs and two shabads. The songs, a variance from serious thought provoking melody to light music, will enthrall the young and the old alike. The melodious music is composed by well-known composer Jaidev Kumar and Tiger Style and sung by Wadali Brothers, Lakhwinder Wadali, Jaspinder Narula, Manpreet Akhtar, Firoz Khan and Simerjit Kumar.
Q: Any message to your viewers?
IAK: Watch the film, it is tailor made for you. Be proud to be associated with good cinema, which showcases your culture in a meaningful way in front of the whole world.
You can catch a glimpse of the film at www.sixthriverfilm.com and http://www.youtube.com/user/thesixthriver.
August 16, 2010
Conversation about this article
1: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), August 16, 2010, 11:39 AM.
A very thoughtful, clear-headed interview. Much appreciated. I, too, hope that the moniker "alcohol and drugs" for the sixth river of Punjab doesn't come to define us. That needs a sea change in the Punjabi mindset - not easily accomplished but worth the effort of exploring. And who but a sensitive film-maker like Amitoj, the maker of "Kambdi Kalai" who is both ready and able. I am elated at hearing of the project and look forward to it.
2: Bhavinder (Dubai, United Arab Emirates), August 16, 2010, 1:56 PM.
Impressive interview. We will watch this movie for sure ...
3: Gurmeet Kaur (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), August 16, 2010, 5:03 PM.
So proud of you, Ish! You and your team have poured your blood, sweat and tears into 'The Sixth River'. Hope all comes to fruition. We all wish this movie tremendous success. Hope for many more to follow. Cheers to meaningful Punjabi/ Sikh cinema!
4: Suprit Pal Singh (Mlebourne , Australia), August 17, 2010, 1:42 AM.
As a side note note, I think the "The Sixth River" is the flow of Punjabi/Sikh diaspora into the western world. Partly due to the lack of economic well-being in the "shrunken" land of the "Five rivers" and also due to the circumstance of the last few decades where the sense of attachment to the land has remained, but a sense of detachment to it's political set up has set in. One has to ask why our in our own lands the political set up forces us to flow into the "The Sixth River" rather than flow with the "Five Rivers".
5: Harry Brar (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.), August 18, 2010, 1:24 PM.
So proud of you, Ish. God bless you.
6: Pale ji (Chandigarh, Punjab), August 19, 2010, 12:33 PM.
When I see so much positive comments from such a seasoned journalist like Dr.I.J.Singh, I can imagine that the film is going to be a landmark in Punjabi cinema. I am impressed by the promos on the web-site. It seems to be a blend of entertainment and message. It also looks like dotted with some spiritual flavour as is evident from shabads like 'Aise kahe bhool pare' and 'Gagan Damama bajio'. Looking forward to D-day ...
7: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), August 19, 2010, 7:42 PM.
To pay homage to Bhai Vir Singh ji, the sixth river, his book, "Baba Naudh Singh", has all the scripts for a series of Oscar winning films. Perhaps Ish would consider that for her next project.
8: Amandeep Singh (Chennai, India), September 09, 2010, 2:21 PM.
I agree with IAK. We need to promote our mother tongue Punjabi. I hardly see any Sikh kids speaking in Punjabi here in Chennai. I assume the same is happening in other places. However, if you look at other communities, for e.g., Tamils. It's just the other way round. They will only speak in their mother tongue. We need to learn this from them. I hope there is some religious message in this movie. Unlike a typical Punjabi movie where the hero is a mona and his father is a Sikh! Why can't producers have a Sikh boy as the main actor? Like in the movie "Sat Sri Akaal"?
9: Moninder Kaur (Dunwoody), September 27, 2010, 11:36 AM.
Job well done. May you progress by the will of the Almighty. I am proud of you. Best wishes.
10: Himat Singh (Meghalaya, India), March 29, 2011, 5:21 AM.
How can I download this movie or order it?