Latest news with #SaunkanSaunkne2
News18
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sargun Mehta Feels Punjabis Have Mastered The Art Of Comedy
Last Updated: Nimrat Khaira and Sargun Mehta opened up about the behind-the-scenes challenges of filming Saunkan Saunkne 2 in peak summer. Sargun Mehta is counting down the days to the release of her upcoming Punjabi film Saunkan Saunkne 2. The sequel to the 2022 comedy reunites her with co-stars Ammy Virk and Nimrat Khaira. As the release date draws closer, the lead trio is going all out to build excitement among audiences. Recently, Sargun and Nimrat sat down for an interview with a media portal, where they opened up about their experiences filming the comedy franchise, their expectations from the sequel, and the growing popularity of Punjabi cinema. In an interview with Hindustan Times, the actors shared behind-the-scenes insights into the making of Saunkan Saunkne 2, particularly the challenges of filming in the sweltering summer heat while wearing heavy padding to depict weight gain for their characters. Nimrat Khaira recalled, 'We enjoyed the first two days a lot with the new getup and all the padding. It felt very new, very nice. But, as the shoot went on, it became challenging." However, for Sargun Mehta, the overall fun they had during the creative process outweighed the challenges. 'When you are on a shoot, nothing else matters. And when it is such a comedy, even the actors enjoy while performing. The audience has fun, but the actor does too. There's no death scene in the film. So, since so much is happening, you don't think of anything else." The actress also reflected on the rising reach of Punjabi cinema, crediting streaming platforms for helping the industry break regional boundaries and attract a wider audience. She believes this is just the beginning, with Punjabi films poised to gain greater national recognition in the years to come. She further said, 'Even if we can reach out to 5 more people to invest time in us, that is a win. People are watching everything, from Korean and Turkish to English. Now, Punjabi is very close to Hindi as a language. It's not very difficult to understand." Citing her husband, actor Ravi Dubey, who is not Punjabi but understands her films, Sargun emphasised, 'I know that we don't have to create a new world for the audience. So, I feel the Hindi audience would love to watch these films, such as Saunkan Saunkane 2. And I think nobody does comedy better than the Punjabis. They've mastered the art of it. Everybody in a film – even the person doing a single scene – is so good with their comic timing. Like action is South's language of films, comedy is Punjab's." Coming to Saunkan Saunkne 2, the film has been penned by Amberdeep Singh and directed by Smeep Kang. Building on the success of the 2022 hit, the sequel reunites the beloved trio Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta, and Nimrat Khaira in another hilariously chaotic marital saga. Promising even more laughter, drama, and unexpected twists, the much-anticipated film is set to hit theatres on May 30. First Published:
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sargun Mehta feels 'nobody does comedy better than the Punjabis', explains why Saunkan Saunkne 2 can be 'pan-India'
Sargun Mehta is returning to the big screen with her latest Punjabi film, Saunkan Saunkne 2. The comedy, which sees her reunite with Ammy Virk and Nimrat Khaira, is expected to break box office records, just like the first part. Ahead of the film's release, the actor speaks with HT about the expectations, experience, and more. (Also read: People think they can take me for a ride: Sargun on working in a male-dominated industry) In Saunkan Saunkne 2, both Sargun and Nimrat wear a lot of padding to show how their characters have gained weight. Shooting with the makeup and padding in peak summers was no easy task. Nimrat recalls, "We enjoyed the first two days a lot with the new getup and all the padding. It felt very new, very nice. But, as the shoot went on, it became challenging." But for Sargun, the fun of creating something new outweighed the challenges. She explains, 'When you are on a shoot, nothing else matters. And when it is such a comedy, even the actors enjoy while performing. The audience has fun, but the actor does too. There is no dead scene in the film. So, since so much is happening, you don't think of anything else.' Over the last few years, with the arrival of streaming platforms, Punjabi films have travelled beyond their core audiences. Sargun sees this as just the beginning to taking Punjabi cinema nationally. "Even if we can reach out to 5 more people to invest time in us, that is a win. People are watching everything, from Korean and Turkish to English. Now, Punjabi is very close to Hindi as a language. It's not very difficult to understand," she says. Giving an example of her husband, actor Ravi Dubey, she says, "Ravi is not a Punjabi, but he understands my film. So, I know that we don't have to create a new world for the audience. So, I feel the Hindi audience would love to watch these films, such as Saunkan Saunkane 2. And I think nobody does comedy better than the Punjabis. They have mastered the art of it. Everybody in a film - even the person doing a single scene - is so good with their comic timing. Like action is South's language of films, comedy is Punjab's." Saunkan Saunkne 2 is scheduled to be released in theatres on May 30.
News18
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Ammy Virk Slams Stereotyping Of Sikhs In Bollywood: ‘We Were Reduced To Comic Relief'
Last Updated: Ammy Virk reflects on the misrepresentation of Sikhs in Bollywood, calling out the industry for reducing them to comic stereotypes. Ammy Virk is not just an actor or a singer—he is a storyteller who glides effortlessly between the worlds of music, drama, and comedy. As he gears up for the release of Saunkan Saunkne 2, the sequel to one of his most beloved Punjabi comedies, Ammy reflects on cinema, culture, and the evolving portrayal of Sikhs in mainstream Indian films. For decades, Sikh characters in Hindi cinema were often boxed into narrow stereotypes—loud, comic, often caricatured. But that narrative is beginning to shift. Ammy, along with Diljit Dosanjh, represents a new wave of artists pushing boundaries and stepping into substantial, leading roles that reflect the community's depth and diversity. 'I don't fault the Hindi film industry entirely for that," Ammy says candidly when asked about the longstanding typecasting. 'They had seen these kinds of stereotypes around them. If you go to Shri Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra, you'll find Sikhs who've lived there for generations. Their appearance and culture are very different from that in Punjab. It's a result of that regional mix. Filmmakers just borrowed from what they observed." But he doesn't let cinema off the hook completely. 'Of course, there has been some character assassination too. Sikhs could have been shown as sophisticated as well—think of Sikh prime ministers, thinkers, pop stars. They, too, represent who we are," he adds. 'But now, I am happy with the change. People like Diljit paaji are doing so well and representing us globally." Ammy's latest film sees him reunite with longtime collaborators Sargun Mehta and Nimrat Khaira. Their off-screen camaraderie has been a vital ingredient in creating memorable moments on screen. Recalling a particularly emotional scene from Qismat 2, Ammy shares, 'It was freezing cold. Sargun and I were out in the open shooting the climax. Tania was rushing to get us blankets. And we were still cracking up. Even when the scene was heavy, that rapport helped keep us grounded." As Saunkan Saunkne 2 prepares for its theatrical release on May 30, Ammy remains a force of Punjabi cinema—grounded in tradition, yet always pushing for a richer, more nuanced representation of his people and their stories.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ammy Virk says there used to be 'character assassination' of Sikhs in Bollywood: 'Could have shown us as sophisticated'
He is a multi-faceted man, Ammy Virk. He sings, acts, and even in that, his performances range from comedy to drama. His new film, Saunkan Saunkne 2, is the sequel to one of his most successful comedies. Ahead of the release of the film, Ammy speaks with HT about the film, the idea of comedy, and the representation of Sikhs in mainstream cinema. Saunkan Saunkne 2 reunites Ammy with Sargun Mehta and Nimrat Khaira, two actors with whom he has done multiple films in the past. The actor says their off-screen rapport often drives the performances, even in tragic scenes. "We were shooting the climax of Qismat 2. It was very cold. Sargun and I were in the open, and Tania was arranging our blankets. We were still laughing even though it was a heavy scene. The rapport helps, and it keeps things light and entertaining," he says with a laugh. Saunkan Saunkne 2, like the first part, deals with a polygamous man, who is now on the lookout for wife number 3. But despite taking a sensitive issue like this in a light-hearted way, the film never received any criticism. Ammy chalks it down to the audience's understanding and intelligence. He explains, "People understand it's a comedy, and they take it like that. They know we are not trying to give any message. For instance, if we talk about South films, there is so much action and so many explosions. That is not happening in real life. The same goes here! It's just entertainment." The actor adds that today's audience is 'syaani' (smart) enough to understand a filmmaker's intention. He adds, "The audience understands what a film is made for by any person. Whether it's for making money, catching people's emotions, or just to fool people, the audience understands all that. People are smart!" For years, Hindi cinema had been guilty of depicting Sikhs in very limited roles. They were either reduced to muscle men or comic relief, a trend that is changing now. Ammy, along with Diljit Dosanjh, is one of the few Sikh actors to play lead roles in mainstream Hindi films of late. Talking about the stereotypical depiction of his community for years, he says, "I don't fault the Hindi film industry for that (stereotype). They had seen these kinds of stereotypes around them. If you go to Shri Hazur Sahib (a Sikh holy place in Maharashtra), you will find that look and getup. There are Sikhs who have been living in Maharashtra for generations, and their getup is very different from how it is in Punjab. It is because of the mixed culture. Whoever made films in the past borrowed from them." But he agrees that there was some fault of the storytellers, too. "Of course, there has been some character assassination, too. They could have shown Sikhs as sophisticated people, too, but most characters were reduced to comic relief. There have been Sikh Prime Ministers and pop stars. They also represent our culture," says Ammy, before adding, "But now I am happy with the change. People like Diljit paaji (Diljit Dosanjh) are doing so good and representing us on the global stage." Saunkan Saunkne 2 is scheduled to be released in theatres on May 30.
