Cherished Memories

HIS tall, lean and handsome looks coupled with a deep baritone voice still remind most women of a typical Mills and Boon protagonist. Meet Kanwaljeet Singh, the actor who is still celebrated for his powerful performances in serials like Buniyaad and Saans.

Singh was in the city to promote his new daily soap Aisa Des Hai Mera that premiered on Sony Entertainment Television on April 24. Dressed in a black striped shirt and blue jeans paired with a comfy pair of sneakers, he spoke about his love for Pune at length. "I studied acting here in the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) so my love for the city dates back to more than two decades. Being a small town boy, I did not identify with Mumbai as much then as I did with Pune," he recalls.

In the same breath, he talks about the new generation of television actors. "They are all a talented lot. With the amount of exposure to television today, they can easily pick up the nuances of acting."

Even after all these years, the actor in him confesses to getting butterflies in his stomach before starting a new venture. Though Singh prefers to keep limited work in hand as far as television is concerned, he is also doing a modest amount of films. "I am doing the Hindi film Bombay to Paris. Due for a July release, it is a youthful story with a good dash of humour."

About the serial
Aisa Des Hai Mera, a daily soap was premiered on April 24 on Sony Entertainment. Scripted by Lekh Tandon, it revolves around a British girl, Rusty, who comes to India after she discovers that her biological father (played by Kanwaljeet Singh) hails from Punjab. Debutante Saumya Tandon, who plays Rusty, reveals that the story explores the father-daughter relationship.

The essence of the soap is the gradual discovery of two varied cultures and a family drama which slowly unfolds in the backdrop. "Personally it was a pleasure to work with veterans like Lekh sahab and Ranjitji," says Tandon.