After marking her Bollywood debut with Housefull 5, Sonam Bajwa is now set to be seen in Border 2. The film reunites her with Diljit Dosanjh, with whom she has shared a successful collaboration across several Punjabi films, including Punjab 1984, Sardaar Ji, Super Singh and Honsla Rakh.

Speaking about working together on a large-scale Hindi film for the first time, Sonam describes the experience as nostalgic.

She says, “I have always enjoyed working with Diljit. We have done films like Punjab 1984, which was emotionally intense, as well as a few romantic comedies and lighter films together. This time, it felt nostalgic because Anurag Singh, who is directing Border 2, had also directed Punjab 1984. That was my first collaboration with both of them, and it was only my second film at the time. Reuniting brought back memories from the early days of my career. When I look back, I feel happy about the journey we have all shared since then. Diljit is one of my favourite artistes to work with, and I am glad we had the opportunity to collaborate again.”

She adds that working with a co-actor she already shares a comfort level with makes the process noticeably smoother on a film like Border 2.

She shares, “When you have worked with an actor before, it brings a sense of ease. Border 2 is a big film and there is a certain pressure, especially when you are working alongside legends. But when you are paired with someone you already share a comfort level with, it makes the process easier. That familiarity also reflects on screen. You understand each other as actors, and that comfort becomes an advantage. Even while performing intimate scenes or lighter moments, things flowed smoothly because that ease already existed.”

During the shoot, reports surfaced about Diljit possibly being replaced in Border 2 amid controversy surrounding Sardaar Ji 3, which also stars Pakistani actor Hania Aamir. Sonam says, “Despite what was being said, everyone remained professional and focused on completing the shoot. There was a positive outlook on set, and the situation was handled calmly and responsibly,” she says.

It is 30 years since the anti-Sikh riots and the Punjab film industry, devoted mostly to romantic comedies, has turned its atten tion to more angsty stories. Five films pegged to the riots have been completed over the last one year, two of which - Dilli 84 and Kaum De Heere - were recently blocked by the Censor Board. There are five more on the same subject in the pipeline.
In the grip of militancy, Punjabi cinema had all but died in the late '80s. Varinder, one of its most successful filmmakers, had been gunned down by the militants. Ironically, these tragic stories are now becoming a popular theme for the same industry. The biggest hit in this genre is Punjab 1984 starring Kirrron Kher and singer Diljit Dosanjh, released in June this year. “Recent Punjabi comedies have not been successful. There is another reason why 1984 themed films are doing well - there has been no closure to these tragedies. So these films are seen as an expression of the community's angst.And they translate into commercial success as well,“ says Gurminder Singh Samad, script and dialogue writer. “When a film is banned, it generates immense publicity abroad among the Sikh diaspora and this means good business.“

Saada Haq's release last year endorses Samad's argument. The film was panned for lacking in technical and creative finesse but the state ban in April last year ensured huge audiences. Riding high on the emotional wave, the film's producers even opened up donation accounts and made open appeals for contributions. Despite the ban, special shows were held abroad. Social media too was boiling over with support for the film. But another recent film on the subject, 47 to 84, did not trigger any controversy and ended up failing at the box office.

Film writers are upset at the suggestion that they are not driven entirely by conviction. “I was watching a programme on the survivors of the 1984 massacre. I remained upset for days. We thought we should give voice to their fight for justice,“ says Ashok Gupta who wrote, directed and produced Dilli 1984 (the title was prefixed with Insaaf De Udeek, the wait for justice).

Gupta says he took a big risk with the film.“We knew that the film could face road blocks but still went ahead because we had the courage of conviction,“ says Gupta who is now working overtime to ensure the release of the film abroad on September 12 as announced. Raj Kakra, who plays Indira Gandhi's assassin Beant Singh in Kaum de Heere, says the subject was close to his heart and it was tough finding a producer for it.

It is feared that these films can stoke communal passions but the industry believes that banning them could lead to bigger problems.“This could cause further resentment and alienation in the community,“ argues Gupta. Samad is unconvinced. “1984 is raised as an issue every election by political parties, especially SAD. And now film makers are eyeing to profit from the sentiments of the people.“