Dancing queens
A story of six sisters, dealing with their own challenges, coming together to participate in a giddha competition in the heart of London – is the plot for the soon-to-be-released Punjabi film Badaa Karara Pudna.
In Chandigarh, on Wednesday, the team came together to present not just their dance moves, but also the fun-filled journey of the film. Led by director Parveen Kumar and backed by producer Madhuri Vishwas Bhosale, the cast of Badaa Karara Pudna — Upasana Singh, Kulraj Randhawa and Mannat Singh — took to the stage to perform their energetic title song, an old Punjabi ditty in a modern makeover.
Winning over those present was Upasana Singh with her swift moves. Looking resplendent in a colourful suit-dupatta, very mindful of her long braid, she had people in splits. “Parveenji came to me with a role but I insisted on playing Angrez Kaur for which he had cast someone else. Just about six days before the shoot, he called and lo and behold, the role was mine.”
The project marks a significant milestone as it continues Punjabi cinema’s evolving trend towards heroine-oriented stories, reflecting a strong shift from the conventional male-led narratives. “I have been part of the Punjabi industry for long. My first film, Badla Jatti Da, was also a heroine-centred film. What marks this difference is that Badaa Karara Pudna is an all-women poster too. Even in heroine-centred films, heroes take the cake but here is a heartfelt story of six sisters.”
Actress Kulraj Randhawa, known for her elegant screen presence, joined this project on the insistence of a friend, whom she couldn’t say no to. “I do not like to label a film hero or heroine-centred; first and foremost, it’s entertainment packed in a feature film.”
Dividing her time between Punjab, Mumbai and Canada, Kulraj, who won acclaim with Kareena Kareena, has moved on to produce and direct, with a couple of international projects in different stages of production. “I am keen on making biopics and bring stories from our rich literature to the screen,” she shares, looking ravishing in a plum suit with golden embellishments.
Mannat Singh, with her theatre and singing background, brings authenticity and passion to her role. The ‘fukri’ of the group labels herself as being simple at heart, a claim totally rejected by the team amongst loud guffaws. She tries to pay tribute to Upasana Singh’s long innings, saying, “I was very young when I saw Badla Jatti Da,” to be interjected by Upasana Singh, “I was also very young at that time.” If the infectious camaraderie of the team is any indication, the film promises to be a laugh riot.
Interestingly, Badaa Karara Pudna is a remake of Marathi hit Baipan Bhari Deva and brings on board a Marathi producer, Madhuri Bhosale. “When we thought of a remake, Punjabi was my first instinct. Knowing as much as I did, I thought it will bring bhangra to the forefront but was rightly corrected it to be giddha when we started to work on it.” In its two-year journey, she can now mouth every dialogue. “It was a huge learning experience filled with love, dedication and creativity,” she says.
Director Parveen Kumar says the film balances entertainment with emotion — a mix of folk dances and heartfelt family bonds. “Every artiste, from Upasanaji to Mannat and Kulraj, brings life to each sister’s character,” he shares. The film also sees Kamaljit Neeru, Twinkle Saggu and Sheeba Agarwal in the sisters’ roles.
Badaa Karara Pudna hits cinemas on November 7.
Entertainment