Vinay Kumar
Director Honey Trehan has shared a major update on his long-awaited biopic on legendary Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi, a project he hopes to take on floors by the end of this year. While speaking about the film, Trehan also addressed the biggest question surrounding the biopic, who will portray the iconic literary figure on screen. Although the filmmaker would have loved to reunite with Diljit Dosanjh after ‘Satluj’, he admitted that casting the singer-actor in the lead role isn’t feasible for a rather unexpected reason.
Why Diljit Dosanjh isn’t the right fit
Speaking to Mid-day to explain the challenge, Honey Trehan said the real-life habits of Shiv Kumar Batalvi make it difficult to cast Diljit in the role. “I really wish Diljit could play Shiv, but there is a technical problem. Shiv was a chain-smoker, and I can’t get Diljit to smoke cigarettes.” The filmmaker’s statement highlights the practical challenge of authentically portraying the celebrated poet, who was known to be a heavy smoker during his lifetime.
Diljit Dosanjh will still be associated with the film
Even though Diljit may not headline the biopic, Honey Trehan made it clear that he wants the actor-musician to be a part of the project in some capacity. “Diljit will do something in the film, I don’t know what yet. He is such a pure soul. I want to have him [on the project] just for the right vibe.” While no details have been finalised, Trehan indicated that he is keen to collaborate with Diljit once again.To bring authenticity to the film, Honey Trehan spent considerable time travelling across Punjab and interacting with people who had personally known Shiv Kumar Batalvi. Their memories played a crucial role in shaping the screenplay.Recalling those emotional interactions, the director said,“I met such great people who are in their 90s; someone has an oxygen mask, someone is bedridden. But when you speak to them about Shiv, they get teary-eyed. They take pride that they were so close to Shiv, and that finally somebody is making [a film] on him.”According to Trehan, these conversations helped him create an intimate portrait of the poet, whose writings on love, longing and separation continue to resonate with readers across generations.
Shiv Kumar Batalvi – A literary icon remembered
Shiv Kumar Batalvi remains one of Punjabi literature’s most celebrated voices. His poetry, marked by intense emotion and lyrical beauty, earned him widespread acclaim at a remarkably young age.Notably, he became the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, receiving the prestigious honour at the age of 28, a record that continues to be remembered in Indian literary history.
