Avkash Mann: A superstar in the making, writes Disney Brar

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Avkash has all the ingredients in him to make it big in the world of Tinselville. In an interview with The North News, he talks about his debut film, the journey behind it, and his future goals. 

Mohali: He is tall, gossamer-skinned, and drop-dead handsome. His brawny physique instantly commands attention in any room he walks into. With his head firmly on his shoulders,  Avkash Mann, a singer, composer, and now an actor, who will soon make his big debut on the silver screen with the release of his film, Eh Din Roz Ni Aune, is here to stay. The son of legendary Punjabi singer and actor Harbhajan Mann, Avkash is already a star cut out for big things. His debut film, Eh Din Roz Ni Aune, is a family drama built around generational differences, with all the ingredients to make it a complete entertainer. The film will also star Avkash’s father, Harbhajan Mann, in a prominent role and is slated for an October 9 theatrical release. 

Talking to The North News, Avkash elaborates about his character in the film, “I essay the role of Prabh, who is a 25-year-old young man who wants to make it big in life and aims to do something substantial for the larger good of society. His dreams are high, but he lacks direction and is unclear about how to achieve what he wants. The film traces his journey to achieve his aim in life, and charts all the ups and downs Prabh goes through before he finally achieves what he wants.” 

Raring to go

Avkash’s character will be seen in various shades in the film, right from an angry young man to a quintessential romantic hero, nods he, “you will see me both as an action hero with amazing action scenes in the film juxtaposed with me being a romantic hero as well. My character will essay many shades in one role.”

The seed of acting was planted in Avkash’s mind when he was a child. Having been in the shadow of his father most of the time, Avkash also wanted to be in front of the camera: “As a child, I was always very curious about the whole process of filmmaking. Whatever people saw on screen, I saw firsthand, with me on set daily. So somewhere along the line, I was already an actor in my mind. It was a natural transition for me,” he avers. 

Avkash has been there and done that when it comes to learning the various nuances of filmmaking, having been on the sets of his father’s films, interacting with the veteran actors, and keenly observing the whole process of canning a film: “I used to be present on the sets of my father’s films and have done special appearances in his classic films as a child. Over the years, I have closely observed the whole process of filmmaking. My interactions with legendary actors like Deep Dhillon saheb and Kanwaljit sir have also left a lasting impact on me. My father has always had a very positive effect on me as an actor and as a person, but my proximity to directors like Manmohan Singh ji has chiseled me as an actor and filmmaker. I consider myself lucky for having spent my early years watching legendary Punjabi films being made and being a first-hand witness to the whole atmosphere on the sets,” says Avkash. 

When music becomes a legacy

In an earlier interview, Harbhajan Mann shared that, as a child, Avkash was always up to some creative task. He had said, “It was Avkash’s birthday once, and we had thrown a lavish party for him with all the Punjabi film stars and singers attending the party, and all through the party, Avkash was busy on the stage playing the tabla.” Avkash smiles on a coy note as he hears this and says, “Thats true I was always mesmerised by anything creative and whenever I used to spot a musical instrument, I used to just go and start playing it. As I grew up, I wanted to master playing most of them, and that’s when I decided to learn music.” 

Talking about his preparation as an actor before his big launch, Avkash says, “I started preparing very early on for my launch. I attended a fine arts high school back in Canada called the Emily Fine Arts, where you get admission if you clear their auditions. I studied music and acting there in my class 10 and high school. I also auditioned outside my university and landed many professional assignments, including modelling and commercials, which I did on and off. But of course, I never shared that at home, as I did that as a learning experience. I did some short films as well, but I didn’t take up any big offers because I was still very young. I was just testing the waters that time to see how I perform and which assignments I land up with.” 

Avkash then did a formal acting course in Mumbai and also went to the New York Film Academy. “I also did acting workshops with Mukesh Chhabra, who is a very prominent casting director from Bollywood. Specifically talking about my launch, I did special workshops for six months with the director of my film, Aneet Sekhon, to fully come into my character,” shares Avkash. 

In love with Punjab

Is Bollywood next on the agenda for Avkash after the release of his first film? “Right now, my focus is Punjabi cinema because I feel there is so much to explore in Punjab and in Punjabi cinema when it comes to filmmaking and exploring subjects centered here. In fact, our Punjabi literature is so rich that there is a lot of scope for its adaptation on the big screen. So many beautiful stories are waiting to be brought alive on 70mm. And I love being in Punjab; I returned after completing my education abroad, and ever since, I have been here because I am very attached to my Punjabi roots. I am taking things step by step professionally and will definitely consider offers from Bollywood when good projects come my way, the ones where I will be able to explore the actor in me.”

Avkash is also a very refined singer who released ’ Away ’, which was an English-language pop and R&B single that he also wrote, composed, and performed on in July 2018. He made his debut in Punjabi music as a singer and composer with ‘Tere Vaaste’ back in 2019. His debut film also features songs penned, sung and composed by him, nods he, “after the release of my film, I will take up my singing assignments and will come up with my album soon.” 

On the personal front

Besides acting and singing, Avkash is a voracious reader as well: “I love to read. In fact, I am a bookworm, and everybody at home, especially my father, always teases me, saying that I am always buried in books. At home you will always find me in my study. Besides that, whatever little time I have left, I like to hang out with my friends and enjoy it just like a normal youngster.” He signs off.

We at The North News wish Avkash all the very best for his debut.