"You don’t need anyone to validate you" - NEERU BAJWA

Exclusive Interview by Armin S., Photography by Baljit Singh Deo, Hair & Make Up by Renu Sindhu

Neeru Bajwa’s career spans over fifteen years. In those fifteen years, Neeru Bajwa has been a part of numerous projects on television, reality shows, Hindi films, and so much more. Her work with people in times of need in her community is commendable and really sheds light on why Neeru Bajwa is who she is today. With over three million followers on Instagram, Neeru is a force to reckon with and a face that not only people in their 70s recognize, but also kids at the age of 7. I could go on and on as to why Neeru had to be our cover this month, but instead, here’s our chat, and I promise you, once you read it, you will feel like you can climb the world’s highest mountain.

Q: Neeru, you have so much experience behind you. What was your initial motivation to get into the entertainment, and particularly, the film industry?

A: Well, ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an actress. My love with films started with watching films. My parents were working and their form of entertainment for us was renting a bunch of VHS tapes and we would sit there and my grandma would take care of us. Ever since I watched my first Hindi film, I realized I wanted to become an Indian film actor.

Q: Do you remember the first time you were facing a professional camera and what was going through your head?

A: I remember, I remember it was for Dev Anand’s Main Solah Baras Ki – it was just so much excitement, nervousness. Actually, my first film, there was overconfidence! I was like, “I’m going to take over, this is going to be awesome” (laughs). That was my feeling with my first film and that film did not do well at all. I was 15, almost 16, and I came back to Canada. I then went through the Miss India Canada pageant; I was there with a documentary and then I again had to come back because of a tragedy in the family. And then again, I went (laughs), and I made something out of it then.

Q: There was a lot of back and forth initially and a lot of back and forth even now. Today, you have a family in Vancouver but you are still hugely popular and must go back and forth for the projects that you do. How does it feel to balance all of the familial/parental obligations and stay true to your passion?

A: I have to say I have an amazing family, I have an amazing support system. If I wasn’t confident that my husband was a fantastic father, I would not leave my kids with him. My daughter has such a close relationship with him. Before Anaya was in school, she would travel back and forth with me and my husband, Harry. My sister and mother have helped me immensely. When I’m not there, they take over my role. They don’t even let them miss me. There are times when I’m in India and we will be FaceTiming and she will say, “oh, mom, I’m busy with dad.” So, for me, I’m like, that’s a good feeling. If I saw her crying or asking me to come back, I’d feel terrible. So my entire family has really helped me to balance this all out. Even my producers and directors have really helped – they try to cut my time as short as possible – they get me rolling, work, work, work, and I’m out. And I’m a happier person because I get to do what I love. I’m a better person, mom, wife, daughter. If I wasn’t able to do what I was doing, I think I would be miserable.

Q: My mom knows who Neeru Bajwa is, my niece knows who Neeru Bajwa is, people in my generation know who Neeru Bajwa is. There is obviously a longevity you have been able to establish in your career. I think part of the reason is that you have been able to immerse yourself with the changing times. When you think about the choices you have made, how would you describe your journey so far?

A: I’ve never really pre-planned any step. I have never called anyone for a collaboration. I just know that I give my best to everything I do. At heart, I still feel like I’m 21 years old (laughs). I’m a kid with my kids. I don’t take myself very seriously. I take every project like it’s my first. The audience sees my hard work and dedication and they just connect with me. I think I’m very lucky and I know it has been a long journey. I meet older kids and they will say I watched you when I was a kid. I’m like, “holy crap, I’ve been around that long?” and I feel old (chuckles) but I say, “I know, sweetheart” (laughs). I’m still getting lead roles but I think also, times have changed too.

Q: It is true – and now, my nieces, who are younger, dance to “Laung Laachi” will grow up to say, I watched Neeru Bajwa when I was a kid. So huge kudos to you.

A: I mean, yes, I’ve worked very hard but I’ve been lucky too. “Laung Laachi” came around after I had Anaya and that was my first film I had after her – you know, as people say, “the comeback”. It just connected me to the next generation, that song. So the generation that was watching Jatt & Juliet, Laung Laachi was for the next generation so I’m truly blessed in the work that I get.

Q: When was the first time you felt you hit a major milestone?

A: I don’t know if I would characterize this as a milestone but there was a moment when I realized I was very comfortable where I was. I had this one very uncomfortable meeting with a big Bollywood director and this is after I had made it in the Punjabi film industry. I met this individual and I felt so uncomfortable in that meeting and I just walked out. I thought, “they know who I am” – all of Bollywood knows who I am. If they have a role for me, call me, I will sign the contract, and I will come. I’m not doing this whole coming and meeting anyone. I’d love to venture into some Hindi cinema; of course I do. But not at the cost of me feeling horrible. I felt like I could not believe I was listening to this human being speak like this. I had my way in Punjabi cinema – I realized this is my place, this is where I’m comfortable. I get the roles I want, I get the respect, I get the money. That’s when something inside me turned and I was then never on the

“Launch Laachi” wasn’t celebrated as India’s only video to have crossed 1 billion views

"all of Bollywood knows who I am"

lookout for something else. A lot of people will make you feel like – you know – “why aren’t you doing Hindi films?” I would hate that question. I never talked about it before. I feel more comfortable talking about it today too. But honestly, that moment made me realize I love what I do.

Q: Picking up from what you have said, we always hear of a successful actor in the Tamil industry or the Punjabi industry or television, but there is a very clear division on who is successful in what sphere – and only the Hindi film industry gets the glory. My personal perception is that that isn’t necessarily true – be it Jennifer Aniston or Seinfeld, both of them started off become global icons because of television, not films. Do you feel like the division has served as a detriment to talented actors and artists outside of the Hindi film industry?

A: Definitely. This division definitely exists. You’ll never see a Punjabi actress on the cover of a high-end fashion magazine. She could have more fans around the world. I haven’t see a South Indian actress on these kinds of covers. So they highlight Bollywood so much, they leave everyone else out. I mean, it’s sad but that’s the way it is. But now I’m comfortable – I don’t give a damn anymore. It doesn’t matter to me.

Q: Now that you’ve created that headspace; do you think back to how you dealt with rejection, something which is part and parcel of this profession – auditions, meeting with filmmakers, contracts?

A: I’ve had various stages when I’ve had to face this. Initially, I was in Bombay, I found it really odd that they expect women to dress up in glamourous clothing. First of all, you’re taking rickshaws and walking around the streets (laughs) and then go into a meeting looking glamourous. If you don’t do that, they don’t think you are glamourous enough. My thought process was “but hey, I’m an actor. If I need to transform, I will. I’m not the character.” Having to hear all that – you are not glamourous enough, not dumb enough (laughs), not flirty enough, your nose is too big…you just kind of roll with the punches. You just let the negativity roll off you. That was the first stage. When I was in the Punjabi film industry, when only one or two films were coming out a year, that phase – I fell into the category of, “oh, she’s from Canada. She will always play the ‘NRI’” and I was like, “oh my gosh, how do I get through to these people that that is me, and then there’s the actor in me.” I had to break through that stereotype. I successfully

"I have an amazing support system"

did that. Then all of a sudden, I had to deal with everyone saying I was too old because I got married. They wrote me off and then I came back with “Laung Laachi”. Now they’re at the point where they say, we just got to deal with her, she’s there, she is not going anywhere (chuckles).

Q: I come from a family with a sister, I have a daughter of my own, my sister has two daughters. You have three daughters. In 2020, what do you think young girls should be taking away as a message – what do you want your daughters to take away from you?

A: That you’re strong, you’re independent, and you don’t need anyone else to validate you. You just need yourself. And that is what my husband and I try to encourage and show with mutual respect. My daughter sees that this is how a woman should be treated. That a woman can leave home and go work and be financially independent. And an education – I really want them to go to university. That is the number 1. If you have that backing, and financial independence as a woman, your confidence, your way of looking at things – everything changes.

Q: Today, what makes you content? What makes you happy?

A: I think that I lived life on my own terms. I wanted to get married, I wanted to have children. I also wanted to work at the same time. I’m so happy I don’t have to hide my husband. I don’t have to hide my children. I’m proud of my age – 39. It’s such an empowering feeling to just be who you are.