From giving hits like Dor to turning pilot, running a fitness venture and owning a content writing firm, to doing music festivals, Gul Panag is a variety girl. She talks to Sangeeta Yadav about her new short film
What was it like to work on the short film The Gift on Sony lIVIJ
It was amazing. It is a powerfully characterised edge-of-the-seat thriller directed and acted by Kushal Punjabi, along with Mandira Bedi. Kushal’s narration made it more interesting. A great team and a good story made me say yes to it.
The film talks about the complexities of contemporary relationships. What are your views on thatIJ
Relationships have always been complex. It is just that we haven’t been talking about it. This film will make you think and evaluate whatever it is you hold true. Everybody has her own take on things. It is not about better or worse, but about being different.
How did your husband react to the filmIJ
When my husband saw the film, he said, ‘you did a fairly decent job’. He told me that my dialogues had a lot of pun, innuendos and micro expressions. Compliments from my husband are rare.
Why do you do so few filmsIJ
I’m busy living an exciting life as a full-time entrepreneur. I have a content company, a fitness company and in the middle of all that if somebody comes to me with a good script and role, I consider it and if it works for me, then it’s great.
Why don so many hatsIJ
You live only once. I love being an actor. The networking involved is challenging as I keep a busy schedule. When I get a great part, I grab the opportunity. I make time for things I like to do. I am a housewife and enjoying it. It is important that we define ourself the way we want and not by how somebody else defines you.
I want to live my life in a certain way and do things I want to do. I’m answerable to myself. All human beings are capable of doing so much more. The reason they don’t do it is because they find it difficult to break the mould. No interesting things happen if you don’t push boundaries.
As a pilot, was it difficult to carve a niche in a male sectorIJ
It’s just about not limiting yourself and not fighting hard to break the boundaries imposed on us. Every day we have to fight. We live in a patriarchal society and there will be boundaries. My dream was to fly. I never wanted to take up flying as a profession as I wanted to do other things as well. What matters is the experiences I had. Never stop yourself from having those little experiences.
What’s your bucket list likeIJ
I would love to do a film encapsulating all my loves — cars, bikes, fitness, adventure, flying a plane and, of course, acting.