Documenting Punjab’s soul

He narrates nothing new. His work is, once again, the depiction of problems in Punjab. Even the medium he’s chosen is an old one. However, it is his conviction that makes the difference. Meet 25-year-old documentary maker, Simran Singh Kaler. To his credit are 16 documentaries that he has directed in the last one year. Ask him why documentaries and pat comes the reply, “They give more scope for research. You can explore the subject from zero to hundred per cent.” So much so, that he prefers to call his documentaries as case studies. His work is all in Punjabi and revolves around social issues and problems.
A postgraduate in mass communication, the fundas of this budding director are very clear. He says, “Most important is the concept, everything else comes later. And, also time should never be a constraint.” While, he has conceptualised and finished a handful of his works in just a month’s time, there are some for which he has devoted almost a year. His maiden work was titled Sikhya. A visit to a school for slum children in Sector 43 encouraged him to highlight the noble work being undertaken there. A seven-minute creation, the work continues to be closest to his heart.
Ask him what his USP is and he smiles, “My vision”. I look at the problems and situations like a common person would. “Did you know that slavery is till prevalent in Punjab?” he asks. A one-hour work titled Saade Hisse Di Zindagi, begins with a voice from the siri (bonded labourer) who cries for his share of freedom. The work took him to many districts of Punjab, including Mansa, Faridkot, Sangrur and Moga.
His seniors at Channel Punjab seem content with his work. “I approach them with a concept and then head to the field with my unit. As the channel is on air in more than 100 countries, my work is spreading all across,” he smiles. Keeping him busy at present is his work titled Buddhism in Punjab, which will trace the origin and development of the religion in the region. On his wish list is a chance to work with BBC or Discovery. “I will show the world that Punjab is much more than the nachta gaata Punjab that they see in vulgar videos. One day the world will know me as the king of documentary films,” he signs off.