THE press meet held recently predictably started one-and-a-half-hour late. The team of Sai Production's Waris Shah - ishq Daa Waris that gathered together to talk about the film which is set to release on September 29th in Punjab. Gurdas Maan, who looked far from the bhangra king that he is known for, came attired in a simple blue shirt and trousers with his wife producer Manjeet Maan, director Manoj Punj and his favorite actor Divya Dutta in tow.

After greeting everyone and taking a seat, he briefed everyone about the film. "I play the title role of Waris Shah in this film which is about the life of a great poet who in adverse conditions, set to complete his life's one and only mission. And that was to write down the tale of Heer-Ranjha, for generations to revere. Usne pak mohabbat ko bayen kiya." Juhi Chawla, who plays Bhagpari in this period film set 300 years ago, said, "Bhagpari, who is to get married to Inaayat Mallik played by Sushant Singh, falls for Waris Shah, How their love faces a lot of turmoil is what the film is about apart from Waris Shah's main accomplishment, that is writing HeerRanjha.

It is a true-to-life tale with a flavour of Punjab. It also has the touch of Urdu and Persian language as per the era." Pretty as she is, Juhi came dressed in a multi-coloured churidarset with a wet look to her permed hair. Divya Dutta, beaming in a bright red churidardress, said, "I play Saabo, who is so obsessed with Waris Shah that she would go to any lengths to get him. Saboo is a grey as well as a realistic character. My role is about a beautiful transformation of a young girl to a woman who loves her beloved deeply. I enjoyed doing this role greatly. Waris Shah Ishq... is a pious and sacred film for me and it has been made that way too. "There is a seduction song picturised on me though." Waris Shah Ishq... is the fourth venture by Sai Productions, which has, to a large extent, been responsible for reviving Punjabi cinema.

And it is not a mean task that all their films have bagged the National award. Their first film Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh won the prestigious award for the Best film while their next venture Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai coveted it for the Best Playback singer. Des Hoya Pardes not only won the National Award for the Best film, it also got the special Jury award for Best actor. This film was also made in English as Political Asylum. So are they expecting an award this time too? "We have always given our best. Rest is for the audience to decide," states producer Manjeet Maan who has a devoted technical team since her first venture.

Divya Dutta, who played the heroine in Shaheed-e-Mohabbat, has always had a major role in all the other films with Juhi Chawla playing the main lead in Des Hoya Pardes and Waris Shah Ishq.... "It is the sincerity and compassion of the team that all our films have been successful. I believe that if a team is good, one should stick on with it, It is very difficult to get good people to work with you, and if you get one, don't let it go. My team is my parivar. I love them all dil-o-jaan se," said Gurdas with Divya nodding in agreement, guess, it is the love and ........ continued