Jollywood gets boost; Music CD of latest Dogri film ‘Reet’ released

Declare film making as industry

Lalit Gupta

JAMMU, Apr 20: The regional cinema can only take roots in the State when filmmaking is declared as industry in J&K, and the State Government gives incentives to local film makers on the lines of policies followed by other states of the country, said Shabir Mujahid, Director Doordarshan Jammu.
He was speaking in the function held to launch the music CD of forthcoming Dogri film ‘Reet’, here today.
The gala function was presided over by Surjit Singh Slathia, Minister for Industries who praised the efforts of the entire team in making a film in Dogri. He said Dogri films can go a long way in re-connecting the younger generations with their roots and culture. He promised to talk to the Finance Minster for extending tax exemptions to the film.
Produced and directed by well-known actor and media personality Pankaj Khjauria, under the banner of Navrudra Productions, ‘Reet’ is totally an indigenously made film in which all the actors and technical crew hails from Jammu.
Speaking to Excelsior, Pankaj Khajuria, who is also the main lead of the film, said that ‘Reet’ is the story of love that is betrayed by customs.
He said that the Dogri film, which is getting final touches, would be released in June 2012, in Jammu. He hoped that the film packed with human emotions and by lilting music will be liked and appreciated by the audience and encourage him and others to making films in mother tongue Dogri.
The film ‘Reet’ which comes on the heels of films like Maa Ni Mildi’, ‘Lakeer’ and ‘Kuggi Maar Duari’, is being seen as a boost for the regional cinema and the miniscule local film industry popular by called as Jollywood.
The highlight of today’s function was showing of the promo of the film and live recital of the songs of ‘Reet’ by film’s playback singers like Suresh Chowhan and Surpal. On the occasion, film’s music director Arvind recited the song, which has been originally sung by Kamaal Hassan—of Bollywood fame for ‘Ishaq Mera Sufiana’.
The film ‘Reet’ has been written by Rajneesh Gupta, while other members of the team include cameraman, Rajesh Khajuria, editor (-) Taranjit Singh Saini, lyrics—Bishan Singh Dardi, Pankaj Khajuria, Rajneesh Gupta and Arvind, singers—Kamaal Khan, Lovely Chandra, Suresh Chowhan and Surpal, make-up Meenu Komal, art director Amarjeet Singh and production designer Akhil Gupta.
The members of the cast present on the occasion included female actor in lead role Riddhima Singh, R S Bali, Madan Rangeela, Janak Khajuria, J R Sagar, Santosh Sangra, Kusum Tikku, Shammi Malhotra, R K Bhat, Subhash Jamwal, Opinder Upadhyay, Harbans, Khabri Lal and Mohan Singh,
Other than the cast, and technical crew of the film, number of filmmakers, actors, media personalities and members of the civil society were also present in the function.