Gul Pang is the vibrant face of Indian film industry. She is a dynamic actress and a multi talented person. According to her official website (gulpanag.net), Gul was born in Chandigarh on 3 January 1979, in an armed forces family. She had the fortune of travelling all over the country due to her father’s profession. She got her schooling from many famous Institutions like Kendriya Vidyalaya’s, The Lawrence School Lovedale, she also studied in Lusaka, Zambia at the International School. She is an alumnus of the Government College for Girls, Patiala, where she pursued B.A in Mathematics and went on to do Masters Degree in Political Science from Punjab University Chandigarh. Gul always maintained a keen interest in sport and public speaking. She has won many state and national level debating competitions, including gold medals twice, at the Annual National Inter University Debate.
Gul`s entering into the Miss India Pageant was a mere extension of her multi talented personality. Eventually she was crowned Miss India Universe in 1999, still only in her teens. Adamant about finishing her BA (Mathematics) degree, she took time off in her reign year to do the same. The journey since then has been eventful and rewarding. She did a bit modelling, a few TV shows including the critically acclaimed series Kashmeer, before graduating to film with the superbly received Dhoop , her award winning portrayal of Zeenat in Nagesh Kukunoor’s Dor and her highly acclaimed work in Manorama Six Feet Under. Then came up ‘Summer 2007’ directed, Suhail Tatari, where once again she earned fabulous reviews. Film ‘Hello’ her first big budget outing met with a fair degree success, and her glamorous avatar in it took people by surprise and got her a lot of appreciation from audiences and critics alike. After Straight, Gul got a unanimous seal of approval from one and all turning her into the poster girl for the discerning and thinking audience. She was next seen in Ram Gopal Verma’s ‘Rann’ where she held her own in an ensemble cast led by Amitabh Bachchan. Her recent film Turning 30 (produced by Prakash Jha) got Gul rave reviews for her uninhibited portrayal of a modern woman living life on her own terms. Rajat Kapoor’s and Pritish Nandy’s “Fatso” is her latest movie. Today Gul has earned respect not only as an actor but also a as a human being and has undoubtedly a long innings ahead of her.
In an exclusive online interview with “The Kashmir Scenario” Gul Panag talks on key issues with Executive Editor-Rameez Makhdoomi
Tell us a bit about your childhood & career?
My childhood was spent all over India owing to my father’s career and interestingly it brought me twice to J&K also. I had a very liberal and secular upbringing and owe everything that I am today to my father is and the life I spent in the armed forces.
I was all set to pursue a career in law when I entered the Miss India contest. Since then life took off on a completely new tangent. I have been living and loving this dream ever since.
How difficult is it to be an actress & an activist?
Nothing is difficult if you really want to do it. Being an actor can get demanding at times, but is supremely rewarding too.
Being an activist is an extension of being a responsible public figure. One can use one’s reach to raise crucial issues and amplify others resulting in generation of dialogue which is ultimately the precursor to change.
Who is your role model?
I am inspired by many people for different things they represent. My father, Hillary Clinton, Aug San Suu Kyi, Arundhati Roy, and many others.
Even those who are Kashmiri pro-freedom thinkers follow you on social networking. What is so dynamic about your persona that diverse ideologies follow you?
I like to think I am a balanced individual, capable of seeing both sides in an argument. Often people label me a leftist, often a right winger. The fact remains that I stand for what I believe is right irrespective of ideological lines.
How do you view the current status of women in India?
Unfortunately it’s poorly. Majority of women in India are subjugated, suppressed and lack the basic decision making freedom that we all take for granted. The only way forward for their emancipation and empowerment is economic independence.
How is life after marriage?
Not much different from before. I have known my husband for almost a decade before marrying him. He doesn’t suddenly expect me to start cooking now that we are married. We travel a lot due to our respective careers and truly cherish the time we have together.
What are your upcoming projects in bollywood?
I am half way through the sequel to the super hit Ab Tak Chappan. Happy to be working with Ram Gopal Varma again. And I am very excited to share screen space with the legendry Nana Patekar.
I am also working on an exciting untitled film set in Punjab on student political movements. And I am eagerly waiting for the release of Fatso (now recently released) with Ranvir Shorey, Purab Kohli & Neil Bhopalan.
What makes Gul Panag a technological guru?
The constant desire to learn new things. I have to know the latest in everything and including technology. And that makes me study the tech space eagerly & diligently.
Any message for people of Kashmir especially your fans?
Kashmir is a beautiful place with beautiful people. I love visiting it. I look forward to being there this summer. I hope for continued peace and stability under the leadership of the dynamic and young Omar Abdullah.