Harsharan strikes critical acclaim at international film festival Toronto for ‘Khoon’
Though Harsharan has under his credit many films, serials and plays but he is still craving for a debut role. Pass out from Panjab University Chandigarh’s Department of Indian Theatre, Harsharan stepped into the reel world as a clapper boy. Soon after with his rich baritone voice and versatile acting, he came in front of the clapper.
According to him he suffered filtration in the opportunities due to the downfall in Pollywood.
Not only this he transformed to Harsharan Singh from Harry Sharan after playing an iconic role in Punjabi Short film ‘Khoon’ that saw day of the light with its world premiere held at International Film Festival in Toronto recently. The 35 minutes long film ‘Khoon’, depicts nearly 50 years old Punjab. Harsharan performed ‘Balbira’ a lead role in it. The film is directed by Punjabi writer and director Amardeep Singh Gill. It is based on Punjabi short story written by Gurbachan Bhullar with same name.
“It shows how property and land ownership related disputes in Punjabi agriculturist families bring changes and bitterness in the blood relations,” he affirmed and added, “The story revolves around ‘Balbira’ whose wicked persona transforms into kind-hearted gentle fellow with few soft, proud and affectionate words.” “I worked for almost six long months to get into the skin of the character of Balbira and put on around 10kgs weight, grow long hairs and beard,” Harsharan mentioned.
Not forgot to mention he has performed in more than a dozen of Punjabi and Hindi films including ‘Punjab 1984’, which bagged national award this year. ‘Shaheed Udham Singh’, ‘Shaheed-E-Azam’, ‘Chak Jawana’, ‘Shikar’, ‘Zaildar’, ‘Jahli Passport’, ‘Nalayak’ and ‘Lakeeran’ are some of his famous films. The list of music videos, serials and telefilms is very long. Harsharan also participated in a TV advert ‘Idea Caste War’ along with Abhishek Bachchan.
At present Harsharan is working on three film projects. Out of them two are feature length Punjabi films and one is short film named ‘Aapa-Dhhapi’. It is written and directed by Harsharan himself. He is playing five different characters which are eventually one person’s various conditions, before and after a life changing incident occurs in his life. “The post production work of ‘Aapa-Dhhapi’ is going on and while others are scheduled for the shot later this year”, Harsharan said.
Not many know other than acting he is a painter too and loves to paint in his free time. About his dream role Harsharan said, “I want to do subject based meaning full films in any genre.”
For him theatre is his first love as he mentions, “Stage is the only mint to shape the performers, and I will never leave it.” He signs off.