I relate to the action genre, I played gatka in college: Irwin Meet Kaur

For an actress who debuted with a dark action film, Warning in Punjabi industry, Irwin Meet Kaur didn’t surprise herself. “I played gatka when I was younger, so naturally I am inclined towards action-oriented roles,” says Irwin, a pol science graduate from Delhi University. Adds Irwin who played a journalist in John Abraham’s The Diplomat, “Personally, I was so done with the comedy genre in Punjabi films, all the punches and gags. When I was offered Warning as a web series first and later as a film, I was thrilled. It may seem unconventional for a debut, especially for Punjabi actresses, but I trained in the martial art and was part of a gatka group in Delhi, and I am good with thrillers.” Irwin has another (unconventional) first for the Punjabi industry. She got married after she turned to acting. “People used to tell me not to disclose my marriage, and that I won’t get work etc.,” she says, adding, “I don’t agree. In fact, I got more work after marriage. Everybody was aware of my marital status, and they all respected and loved it. Now you have the likes of Neeru Bajwa, a leading actress, who even flaunts her kids! Audience has learnt to dissociate an actress from her personal life.” Happy with her space in the industry, Irwin also hosts a cooking show on a Punjabi TV channel. “I have been doing stuff which no other Punjabi actress has (laughs), so yeah, been a trendsetter of sorts I guess. In Warning, I was the only actress. But as a whole, I feel there is a shift in Punjabi industry too. Female actresses are no longer props and have more substance in their roles.”