Veteran actor Girija Shankar, best remembered for his iconic portrayal of Dhritrashtra in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, visited Chandigarh on Monday to present his new documentary ‘Sadi Virasat’, tracing the rich legacy of Punjabi cinema from 1935 to 2000.
Though he was only 28 when offered the role of the blind king, Shankar had initially aspired to play a youthful Arjun or Duryodhan. “But the makers told me Mahabharat happened because of Krishan and Dhritrashtra—and I agreed. The rest is history,” he recalled.
His latest project, Sadi Virasat, is a 1-hour-45-minute documentary that explores the journey of Punjabi films, their stars, box office stories, and lesser-known milestones. A second part, covering 2000 to 2025, is also in the works.
Rooted in Patiala, Shankar has worked across industries—from Bollywood to Hollywood—and now dreams of launching the Punjabi International Film Festival Los Angeles (PIFFLA). “PIFFLA Hollywood will not only showcase Punjabi and North Indian creativity but also offer a space for global collaborations,” said the actor-turned-director, who also made the English film Banana Brothers.
Accompanied by Mandeep Singh Sidhu, author of Punjabi Cinema Da Sachittar Itihaas, Shankar emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage. “Our industry has had ups and downs since its first film Ishk-e-Punjab / Mirza Sahiban in 1935, but it has always risen again,” he said.
With the PIFFLA website launching by August, Shankar aims to create a platform akin to Sundance for Punjabi cinema. “Living abroad made me realize the global potential of Punjabi stories, music, and folk art. Now is the time to share them with the world,” he signed off.
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