‘Jatt & Juliet 3’ director Jagdeep Sidhu: I am my own critic - Exclusive

Renowned writer-director Jagdeep Sidhu, a prominent name in the Punjabi film industry, has built a reputation for his keen storytelling and distinctive cinematic style. During an interview with ETimes, he opened up about his unique creative process, the self-critical nature that drives him, and the immense pressure of helming the upcoming film ‘Jatt & Juliet 3,’ which is one of the most eagerly awaited Punjabi movies of the year.
During the conversation, Jagdeep candidly shared that he considers himself his own harshest critic. “I am my own critic in this process,” he revealed. “I see a lot of mistakes in my movies when they come to the edit table. I feel we could have done things differently. And it happens with every movie. By the time the movie is set for release, I see so many flaws in it, that I fail to like it altogether.” This relentless self-assessment is not just a passing phase for Sidhu; it's a constant companion throughout his filmmaking journey.
Despite his critical view of his work, Sidhu acknowledged that there are a few exceptions to this pattern. “There are only a very few movies like ‘Moh’ or ‘Sufna,’ that I liked till the end,” he admitted. These films stand out as rare projects where his initial vision remained intact and resonated with him through to completion.

Turning the conversation towards his highly anticipated upcoming film, ‘Jatt & Juliet 3,’ Sidhu acknowledged the substantial pressure accompanying the project. The first two installments of the ‘Jatt & Juliet’ franchise were monumental successes, setting a high bar for the third part. Jagdeep noted the challenges of living up to the legacy of the prequels while also introducing fresh elements to the story.
“‘Jatt & Juliet’ is a very big franchise,” he remarked. “The third part is coming after so long, so I had to ensure that it doesn't look way too different from the prequels and at the same time not way too similar. There was a need to bring newness, and that is exactly what I have tried to do.” This delicate balancing act required him to draw on his deep understanding of the franchise’s essence while also infusing it with contemporary touches that would appeal to both long-time fans and new audiences.
Sidhu emphasized that despite his meticulous efforts, the ultimate success of ‘Jatt & Juliet 3’ starring Neeru Bajwa and Diljit Dosanjh lies in the hands of the audience. “Rest, now it is all up to the audience how they respond, as at this point all my judgments are over,” he concluded.