When Gurvinder Singh’s much acclaimed and awarded film ‘Anhe Ghode Da Daan’ was selected for the international competition at the International Film Festival of India, Goa, he thought it was an honour enough. Today as the film has won the coveted Golden Peacock as the best film, all the young filmmaker has to say is: "Awards can't be predicted. I think when a film is awarded, it is more a reflection on the jury than the director. Perhaps another jury would have not selected my film."
But having said that he does admit that the IFFI honour is indeed special. He reminisces: "As a student of the Pune FTII, this is the only festival I would visit and never did I envision that one day at the same festival, an international jury comprising of luminaries like renowned film critic Derek Malcolm and Gautam Ghose would judge my film as the best."
But of course this isn't the first award the film has garnered. The film that has created waves at many international film festivals and has won several awards, including the National Award and the special jury award and the $50,000 Black Pearl trophy at the 5th Abu Dhabi film festival for best direction. On the film striking a universal chord with jury he observes: "I think it's the cinematic aesthetics of the film that reaches out." However, he does admit that most viewers don't get the film in the first viewing and even Malcolm told him: "Your movie must be tough on the audience."
But then cinema for him is not just entertainment. Rather he calls cinema the medium of our times and a chronicler of history. Whether it will inspire other filmmakers from Punjab or not, he really hopes so. In fact, he wants a complete renaissance in the culture of Punjab. He says: "I wish we would represent Punjab in a more mature and meaningful manner."
He anyway is determined to make movies only in Punjabi. Already six ideas are germinating in his mind. For one the pre production process has already begun. 'Anhe Gode Da Daan' is based on Jnanpith award winner Gurdial Singh's novel by the same name. However, as he walks away with the cash prize of Rs 20 lakhs (total amount of Rs 40 lakh is to be shared between the director and the producer which in this case is the NDFC), he says, " I don't earn anything from my movies and so this is only my bread and butter."
