We can’t blame audience for average content: Simi Chahal

An artiste who has consciously chosen a non-linear trajectory in her choice of roles, Simi Chahal is content with not being in the “race for stardom because for me acting is an art, and not about competition.” The Chal Mera Putt and Bambukat actress chooses to do select films in a year because “I don’t feel compelled to grab every offer as I am very picky about roles and choices in life too,” she tells us.She adds, “Till a role doesn’t touch my heart, I can’t do it. I can’t betray my audience who I feel have certain expectations from me.”
Talking about the industry’s evolution having supported her aspirations for diversity, Simi who acted with Pak actor Imran Abbas in Jee Ve Sohneya Jee she says, “We have come a long way since I started out a decade ago. Our cinema has become very experimental now.”
“Now even women are stronger as protagonist and all this has allowed artistes a variety of choices,” says Simi whose debut film Bambukat was a hit that infused freshness into the industry and won her appreciation. She adds, “I would love to do the sequel of Bambukat and I think it’s in talks already, so I am hopeful.”
Besides Bambukat she says another film changed the narrative of this industry. “I feel a film like Angrej (the 2015 film with lead actors Amrinder Gill and Sargun Mehta) also changed the landscape of Punjabi cinema especially for contemporary actors like me,” says Simi who is a fan of family dramas and feels she fits that genre perfectly.

“My favourite genre as an actor is family drama, like the ones depicted in Iranian cinema and I am a huge fan of their films. For me, that is the benchmark of good films,” she says.
Simi, who hails from Haryana, is also hopeful of the crossover trend between Haryanvi and Punjabi cinema initiated by the likes of Kudi Haryane Val Di. “Crossovers are good for every language industry. Our audience in regional cinema is limited, so combining of two industries helps expand audiences for both sides,” she says.
There is much deliberation over Punjabi cinema playing it safe with genres like romcom with much of this being attributed to the audience acceptance. To this Simi says, “Honestly, this is an easy answer, and we can’t blame audience for average content. Audience is watching international content on OTT and Bridgerton right now, which sets the bar high even for romantic genres. Viewers are smart and I think it’s time we start matching their intellect with our content.” Besides films, Simi also featured in a music video, Tere Bajjon with Prateik Babbar.