Dalljiet Kaur turns storyteller, reunites with Iqbal Khan after Choona Hai Aasmaan: says “Lockdown gave me the time to discover the writer within”

Known for her successful acting career, Dalljiet Kaur is now making waves as a writer and creative force behind a growing anthology of short films. Having penned every story released so far, Dalljiet is now opening the doors to fellow storytellers to join her creative journey.

Speaking about how writing became such an integral part of her life, Dalljiet shares, “The writing bug really hit me during COVID. For the first time, I had the luxury of uninterrupted time, and all the creativity that had been waiting to find an outlet finally did. During the lockdown, I ended up writing more than twenty scripts.”

One of the standout projects in the anthology features acclaimed actor Iqbal Khan. For Dalljiet, collaborating with him was both special and nostalgic.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with Iqbal again. We first worked together in 2007 on Choona Hai Aasmaan. I genuinely believe he is one of the finest actors in our country, and I hope to see him taking on even bigger and more challenging roles in the future,” she says.

Recalling a memorable experience from the shoot, Dalljiet reveals how powerful Iqbal’s performance was on set. “His role in the film is extremely layered and challenging. There were moments when he would finish a scene and there would be complete pin-drop silence on set even after the director called cut. We all knew something magical was being created. The film is just 11 minutes long, but it takes the audience through a whirlwind of emotions and leaves them with a haunting question at the end. You’ll keep wondering where the story is headed right until the final frame.”

The anthology is only getting started. Dalljiet reveals that nearly 15 stories are already lined up for release, with several more currently under production.

When asked whether she plans to direct her own stories, Dalljiet admits that the experience has sparked a new ambition. “I haven’t directed any of these films yet, but this journey has taught me that when you write with such strong imagination, have a clear vision, and understand the technical aspects of filmmaking, directing becomes a natural progression. I will most definitely step into direction with some of the upcoming films.”

From actress to writer, and soon director, Dalljiet Kaur’s creative evolution is proving that storytelling knows no boundaries.