Waris Shah now on celluloid
Almost every country throws up a poet who defines the dream and aspirations of its people. That is what, for instance, made Shakespeare the bard of England. Punjab too has its own bard, Waris Shah, and what better way to remember him by than on celluloid. That’s what is being depicted in the film - ‘Waris Shah - Ishq Daa Waris’.
A timeless story of love, tragedy and transformation,’Waris Shah - Ishq Daa Waris’, recounts the legend of the Punjabi Sufi saint, Waris Shah and the real-life love that inspired his epic poem Heer Ranjha.
Presented against an authentic canvas, the film aesthetically etches the pathos and poetry of the artist.
Starring Gurdas Maan, Juhi Chawla and Divya Dutta, the film has the hallmark of a quality production. The beautifully crafted script, penned by Maan himself, is the cornerstone of the film’s success.
“It’s the character of the poet. Indeed! God has gifted me the qualities of a poet. So, playing the character of the poet in the film, I sometimes felt in myself the spirit of Waris Shah, especially when I was in full get-up,” says Gurdas Maan.
Born in village Jandiala Sher Khan in 1722, Syed Waris Shah was a consummate artiste, deeply learned in Islamic and domestic cultural love.
His verse is a treasure-trove of Punjabi phrases, idioms and sayings.
The film portrays the poet’s sublimation of his own unrequited love for a girl, Bhag Bhari in writing romance.
“It’s just `the setting’ of a film. Yes, most of the films are set in college campus, in a house or the city. Its more today. The only difference is that it set 300 years ago,” says actress Juhi Chawla.
Adds actress Divya Dutta, “Well, I would say there are couple of dances needed and no practice done for that. Its just flow with the tide and enjoyed doing period film that feels you belong to that period, So that’s what I was doing.”
With their last three ventures bagging the national award, Sai Productions is now being credited with reviving the staid perception of Punjabi cinema, and the expectations for Waris Shah are very high.
— ANI
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