Following the pattern of Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, people will find a family of tea sellers residing in the slum area of Panchkula in two upcoming Punjabi films –‘Sodhi Patshah Taare Sabnu’ and ‘Maujan Punjab Diyan’ soon. The 34-year old, Rani Devi of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, who has been selling tea near the ‘Mansa Devi Shrine’ for the last 19 years didn’t ever dream of acting in films.
However, nowadays she is not only acting in these two Punjabi films but also had stopped selling tea now.
“Indeed it is with the grace of God that I got a break in films. Now I will continue with acting till the end of my life”, said an excited Rani. Rani got a break in the movies with the help of an NGO Hind Sangram Parishad.
Vikrant Mohan Sharma, general secretary of the Parishad told The Pioneer that they organise an annual function for the downtrodden people every year at Kala Gram and they provided opportunity to Rani and her two daughters to do a dance on Bhojpuri song. Producer of the film ‘Maujan Punjab Diyan’ SS Randhawa was also present there who approached her and asked her to act in his upcoming film. After giving break to Rani, the producer of the film also gave break to her three daughters in the film.
Now all the four females of this poor family are working not in this film only but also in another Punjabi film ‘Sodhi Patshah Taare Sabnu’. Producer and director of film ‘Sodhi Patshah Taare Sabnu’, Avtar Verma said that he saw the work and dedication of this family and decided to give them a chance in his movie. Rani Devi and her family are enthusiastic about their films, to be released shortly. Rani’s husband Bhoop Singh is a rickshawpuller and her son Ankit Kumar is an autorickshaw driver. The whole family still lives in the slum area of Panchkula.
Rani admits that though the work in film line is challenging for her and her family yet they decided to continue it.
“Though my husband and my son do not agree with our decision, yet we find it good at least for our family. Earlier, we spent days in financial hardship, now we are getting several thousand rupees in a few days of work,” said Rani. Rani has now purchased TV, Refrigerator, beds, Gas, auto rickshaw, cycle rickshaw etc at her own. She is also providing education to her two daughters Deepika (12) and Komal( 8) in a private school. Both the films will be completed in the next two-three months and released thereafter.
Source : Daily Pioneer