Published: May 8, 2011 11:57 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA (Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive (Celebrity Interview with Naresh K (Main Lead), Harsimran Dhillon (Producer), and Gursimran Dhillon (Director) of "Pseudo-Blood Of Our Own") May 2011 Edition
Naresh K with Producer Harsimran Dhillon Photo provided by Naresh K
It’s Junior’s Cave Golden Isles Online Magazine’s third encounter with the international model/actor Naresh K, and this time around he brings some of friends along for the ride. We are delighted to present a special feature that spotlights the amazing new Canadian, Bollywood Feature Film, “Pseudo-Blood Of Our Own” and its Main Lead, Naresh K, its Producer, Harsimran Dhillon, and its Director/Writer, Gursimran Dhillon. The three talk about the challenges and rewards of starring, producing, and directing this project. We also learn about what others can expect from after this watching this stellar new film. Want to learn more? Read on and get the 411 about “Pseudo-Blood Of Our Own”.
Isaac: Hello Naresh K, it is excited to feature you again on Junior’s Cave Golden Isles Online Magazine. You have been quite busy since the last time we spoke to you. You have recently completed a Canadian, Bollywood Feature Film as the main lead. What can you tell us about this film and your role in this movie?
Naresh K: The film “Pseudo-Blood Of Our Own” is a crime/drama is based on some true facts that actually have and still happen in British Columbia so the essence of the film is very realistic and is set in a cold region of north America which does give it that isolated feel. I play the main lead a Metro cop, a key character ‘Sleaze’- (his nick name) professional name Bakhinder Thiara.
The story revolves around him and how his actions and reactions affect the lives of several key members. It’s a very raw film which I feel will appeal to all walks of life especially the younger generation. The film honestly depicts all the human emotions which will be exposed on screen.
Isaac: How excited is it that this film will have an international release in theatres? What do you think this will do for your career?
Naresh K: Well, I truly am very excited and a bit nervous as I truly believe this industry is the most competitive industries to break into as there are so many aspiring actors all over the world, all vying for success and to get established. To partake in a feature and as a main lead you hope that you’re acting and talent does the character and film justice and I hope my hard work and dedication is appreciated. So, a sense of excitement and hint of anxiety does settle in, but overall I am very excited about this and for my career I think it will hopefully show me as a talented actor and open more doors for me internationally
Production Still - Director Gursimran Dhillon and DOP Bradley Stuckel
Photo provided by Naresh K
Isaac: What are you hoping the audience will take away after watching your film?
Naresh K: First and foremost I hope the audience enjoys the story, and one of my main objectives was to place characters from all different economical backgrounds that come together for one main goal which is making more "money". So the director really wanted to portray that people from all walks of life do all sorts of thing because of their needs. So the point was not to justify someone being right or wrong, rather to show that human nature has its best and worst, hidden inside and some people will do the most unthinkable. I really hope when people leave the theatre after watching the film, they say, "Oh yeah that happens", it's not anything new it's just that stories as such are not shown much in the main stream media and television for various reasons.
Isaac: For the producer, what were some of the challenges that you endured about producing this project and how were you able to overcome those challenges?
Harsimran Dhillon: Some of the challenges we faced were Logistical more than anything else, shooting in winter was not easy and a lot of our locations were surrounded with Snow covered roads in mountains, so it made it quite difficult on some days to reach our locations due to constant snow fall. So we had to co-ordinate quite a bit with the snow removal companies who sometimes were not willing to come out that far and go into some dangerous steep places to clear the path for us, and we weren't able to get the snow cleared until the day before the shoot because of the constant snow fall. So it was quite the challenge and a lot of waiting around for cast and crew which made for long days but we all pulled through for our sometimes 17-18hrs shoot days.
Isaac: For the producer, what has been the biggest reward about seeing this film come to light?
Harsimran Dhillon: The biggest reward was to see the hard efforts of everyone involved on this project for over 3yrs finally paying off as we filmed the first take. In this industry where cast & crew often don't stick around for too long, it was great to watch the dedication and hard work of the key creative’s involved for so long to stick together and see the project through. A lot of the major crew and cast had been involved since 2008 when the project was first scripted, so watching everyone's hard effort paying off was the biggest reward for me.
Poster
Poster provided by Naresh K
Isaac: For the director, can you enlighten us on how did you approach directing this project and how was it directing Naresh K and the rest of cast on this film?
Gursimran Dhillon: As an Indo-Canadian project, I wanted to give this film its own different type of feel, which was one of my biggest reasons to shoot this film in winter. I wanted to give the film a very isolated feel, kind of a like a medium sized town in the middle of nowhere, and from the time I had started to write the story I wanted to create a certain atmosphere and mood to the film that would really separate all the characters in the film from the rest of society.
So I felt that as a serious Crime/Drama based story it would have its own taste. So as hard as it was to film on our outdoor sets where we were sometimes worried that our cameras might freeze the actors in the film certainly felt the bitter cold in every scene, but it also brought out certain realism in the acting which gave them more authenticity. Working with Naresh was an absolute pleasure; I have never met a more dedicated actor. We only had about 2 weeks of rehearsals with him and in those two weeks I don't think anyone else could have understood the character of ‘Sleaze’ as well as he did. Some days I wasn't sure who I was talking to Naresh or ‘Sleaze’, once he got into his character it wasn't easy to get him back out, however he did warn me that might happen.
The rest of the cast was absolutely great to work with as well, Manwinder Gill who has been a great friend throughout the years personally and professionally did an amazing job as Chima, Tay Shawn as Jamal was another late addition who delivered a great performance, Thi Vo Joined the cast as Johnny was also another superb actor. Every member of the team did a marvelous job and they were truly great to work with.
Isaac: For the director, what do you feel directing this film will mean for your overall career?
Gursimran Dhillon: Only time will tell what directing this film will mean for my overall career. My first intent is to make sure that the audience that watches this film enjoys it, I am very positive that this film will certainly make a new standard for Indo-North American picture genre and I hope I have raised the bar for other film makers.
Director Gursimran Dhillon
Photo provided by Naresh K
Isaac: Another excited part of this film is its multi-cultural artists based in North American. How fun was it to work with such a diverse group of artists on this project?
Naresh K: It was amazing working with such a diverse group of artists with talent and diverse cultures and backgrounds. With every project the character which has been given to you is purely a stencil. What I mean by that is the initial character is your guide and you as the actor has the ability to fill in the ‘blanks’ and portray the character in your own way, to make it your own in the way you think would enhance the character through your vision and that of the director/writer.
It was a thorough collaboration of all fellow actors of self expression seen through your eyes and that of the director/writer. Working with this group allowed me to learn more about their cultures and how living in North America has sculpted them as individuals and then to see them in the process of becoming their characters during rehearsals and on set was exhilarating. It was fun working with the fellow actors. As an actor you are always learning, the journey was definitely fun.
Isaac: For the cast member, of all of the cast members, who was the practical joker in the group?
Naresh K and cast members: Well, we all had our moments of playing the practical joker on and off set but keeping that positive, fun vibe in such cold weather was essential.
Production Still - Naresh K, Tayshawn Prinse, & Manwinder Gill
Photo provided by Naresh K
Isaac: What was one of your fondest memories from your time on the set?
Naresh K: Well there are so many; but having the opportunity to lose myself in another character and working with talented actors and production team from such a diverse background made it easier to work on set especially during the bitter cold, with temperatures below -25 degrees centigrade.
The team spirit and support made you forget the environment you were working in. But one fondest memory which sticks out is the action sequence and the SWAT training and using real guns to fire ‘Blanks’ was very interesting yet demanding, just the sheer weight of the weapons made u realize how intensely members of the police force and SWAT actually train to be on the ‘Mark’.
Isaac: When will this film be available to watch for someone who is interesting in seeing the movie in the states?
Naresh K: We are expecting a Fall release in selected theatres across North America given the outcome of Toronto international Film Festival, followed by a DVD release, so watch out for this film in the fall of 2011.
Isaac: So what’s next for Naresh K?
Naresh K: Since I am working on a few projects now and in the future I would suggest that you watch this space…If I tell you what’s next, it would not be a surprise…lol
PSEUDO "Blood Of Our Own" Official Trailer
Make sure to check out other spotlgihts that we completed with Naresh K below:
