Sidhu makes acting debut with Punjabi film

Chandigarh, Feb 5 (UNI) Cricketer turned politician Navjot Sidhu after making his mark in telvision is set to start his innings in celluloid world with his debut in a Punjabi film.

Navjot Singh Sidhu will be seen in 'Mera Pind-Mera home', the latest venture of Punjabi film director Manmohan Singh of 'Mitti Wajaan Maardi'' fame. Harbhajan Man is playing the lead role in this movie against Kimi Verma and comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi.

Addressing a press conference here today with the other star cast of the film, Mr Sidhu said, "In India politics, cricket and cinema are the three most powerful things which affect the life of people in big way. I am already associated with cricket and politics and now it is the turn of the third field.'' "I am doing this film as the subject of the film addresses a major issue of the craze among Punjabi youth for settling in abroad, '' says Sidhu who is playing an NRI who, despite a successful life abroad prefers to return to his home-land.

Elaborating upon the subject, Director Singh said, "The film aims at portraying the irony that Punjabis who are ready to toil in far off lands in the West, are not ready to put in the same efforts to become successful in their own homeland. I hope it will make foreign-crazy Punjabis to realise that with same kind of hard work they can achieve much more wholesome success in their own land." Chipping in, Sidhu said, ''The theme of the film is closer to my heart, as being a Punjabi myself can relate to my charcter in the film more emphatically.'' Entering film industry was an unplanned affair, Sidhu claimed, ''I never thought of entering into politics but it happened and the same way I am entering into cinema. I have a lot to learn as I am totally new in this industry,'' he added.

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