| Punjabi cinema | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| No. ofscreens | 500+[1] |
| Main distributors | Omjee Group Studio 7 Production Rhythm Boyz Villagers Film Studio PTC Motion Pictures White Hill Studios[2] |
| Produced feature films (2022)[3] | |
| Total | 1000+ Films (Theatrical) |
| Gross box office | |
| Total | 1200 Cr+ |
Punjabi cinema,[4][5] also known asPollywood[6] orPunjwood,[7][8] is cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in thePunjabi-language widely spoken in theIndian state ofPunjab. It is based inAmritsar,Ludhiana, andMohali.[7][8]
The cinema ofPunjab has its beginnings with the 1928 production ofDaughters of Today, the earliest feature film produced in the region inLahore. The firstsound film,Heer Ranjha, using thesound-on-disc technology, was released in 1932. Since then, many films have been produced in Punjabi cinema, a number of which have received international recognition. Many actors and filmmakers started their careers in Punjabi films, a number of whom have acquired international reputations, and a number of whom have found greater financial benefits in careers in larger film producing industries.[citation needed]
Film operations started in the 1920s inLahore, the provincial capital ofBritish Punjab. The first silent film,Daughters of Today, was released in 1924 in Lahore; the city had nine operational cinema houses.[9] Movies shown at these cinemas were mostly produced inBombay andCalcutta, and seldom fromHollywood andLondon.[9]
Daughters of Today was a brainchild of G.K. Mehta, a former officer with theNorth-Western Railways who, much likeH. S. Bhatavdekar, had imported a camera into the country. Mehta continued to produce newsreel coverage for companies abroad and delved into further film projects but his dedication gave way when he promptly left the film industry for more profitable ventures.[9] But it was to be later in 1929–1930, whenAbdur Rashid Kardar'sHusn Ka Daku[10] was released, that the film industry had established in essence in Lahore'sBhati Gate locality. Kardar, a professionalcalligraphist, was accompanied by his fellow-artist and friend Muhammad Ismail, who would make the posters for his films.
Although Kardar had worked with G.K. Mehta onThe Daughters of Today, he felt he needed to continue working and stay active in the industry. Alongside Ismail, he sold all his belongings to set up a studio and a production company under the name United Players Corporation, in 1928.[9] Set up at Ravi Road (now Timber Market), the duo hired actors to work with them on their projects. Shooting was mainly done in daylight and limited their productivity, but the area they encompassed was enriched with locations, including important landmarks.[9]
The duo modeled their work on American and English films with influences not just prevalent in actors' attires but the movie titles and expressed a desire to seek all means necessary to make a sound film of their own. Actors who worked for the studio included Hiralal,Gul Hamid,Nazir,Pran Sikhand, Kaushalya Devi, Gulzaar, Mumtaaz and Ahmed Deen.Husn Ka Daku, also known asMysterious Eagle, Kardar's directorial début would firmly add him into the directors guild.[9] Produced by Hakim Ram Prasad, the 1932 releasedHeer Ranjha, originally titledHoor Punjab, was the first Punjabi sound film ever made.[11] Hakim provided the studio with the equipment necessary to direct the sound film, marked as the last directed by Kardar in Lahore, starring M. Ismail while launching the careers of Rafiq Ghaznavi, Nazeer and Anwari.
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Produced by Indira Movie Tone, Krishna Dev Mehra released his directorial début,Pind Di Kudi, in 1935.[12] The sound film, Pind Di Kudi was produced in Calcutta and released in Lahore and introduced youngNoor Jahan as an actor and a playback singer. Due to the success of this film, interest in Punjabi films started to escalate;[13] therefore, in 1938, with the assistance of Madan Mohan Mehra, K.D. Mehra released his second Punjabi sound film,Heer Sial.
Studios started to open and many actors, filmmakers and technicians shifted fromBombay and Calcutta to Lahore. Prominent names includedShanta Apte,Motilal,Chandra Mohan, Hiralal, Noor Jehan,Mumtaz Shanti, Wali, Syed Attahullah Shah Hashmi, Krishna Kumar, and Shanker Hussain.Baldev Raj Chopra, later known as a director, started from the Punjabi film industry in Lahore, where he operated a film magazine called theCine Herald. Likewise,Ramanand Sagar, later a director, was associated with theEvening News and Syed Attahullah Shah Hashmi worked for the film newspaper,Adakar.
Bhati Gate is known to have produced some of most notable actors, writers and artists,[14] but with tensions running swift towards the independence of Pakistan and India in 1947, most of the actors traveled into areas that are now a part of modern India. The industry left in Lahore would later be termed asLollywood, a portmanteau of Lahore and Hollywood.
In 1947, the British province of Punjab was partitioned between India and Pakistan. West Punjab became part of Pakistan and East Punjab became part of India. This compelled Punjabi film actors, filmmakers and musicians to work in the Bombay industry, including actors such asK.L. Saigal,Prithviraj Kapoor,Dilip Kumar andDev Anand and singers such asMohammed Rafi,Noorjahan andShamshad Begum.[15] In 1948, Roop K. Shorey directed the first Punjabi film following the partition of Punjab. Other notable films of the late 1940s includedLachhi (1949),Mundri (1949) andPheray (1949).
Attempts were made to keep Punjabi cinema alive in this period. Filmmakers made films likePosti,Do Lachhian andBhangra with some success but were not able to revive Punjabi cinema. Songs from the films would run for months and years on the radio resulting in a long-term audience for the films.[16] Post-partition, the trend of comedies continued. One of the hit comedies was Mulkh Raj Bhakhri'sBhangra (1958), starring Sundar and Nishi. It was remade by director Mohan Bhakhri asJatti in 1980 withMehar Mittal and Aparna Chowdhry, and it was again a commercial success. The music from the film was byHansraj Behl with lyrics byVerma Malik. Songs sung by Shamshad and Rafi like "Batti balkay banere utte rakhdi han, rah bhul na jave chann mera" and "Chitte dand hasnon nayion rehnde" were widespread hits.Johnny Walker (1957) was a hit.
The big-budget romantic Punjabi film by director Padam Prakash Maheshwary,Satluj De Kande, was released in 1964. This film starredBalraj Sahni, Nishi, Wasti, and Mirza Musharraf, with music byHansraj Behl. This was the only Punjabi film starring Balraj Sahni. It was a major hit and earned aNational Film Award.Satluj de Kande was telecasted three times on the public TV channelDoordarshan in India. In 1969 the religious filmNanak Nam Jahaz Hai starringPrithviraj Kapoor,I. S. Johar, Vimmi, Som Dutt, Nishi, Suresh, and David Abraham was released. The film was the first really major successful Punjabi film in post-independent India, with a major cultural impact onPunjabi Sikhs at home and abroad, and is credited with the revival of the Punjabi film industry in India. People stood in kilometre-long lines to buy a ticket for the film.
After the success ofNanak Nam Jahaz Hai, films were released in huge numbers. Hindi actors of Punjabi descent became interested in Punjabi films.Kankan De Ohle (Dharmendra,Asha Parekh and Ravindra Kapoor) andNanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (Dara Singh,Balraj Sahni, Ram Mohan and Asha Sachdev) were released in 1970. 1971 saw no major releases. In 1972,Dara Singh starred withPrithviraj Kapoor inMele Mitran De.Man Jeete Jag Jeet, a religious film starringSunil Dutt,Radha Saluja andRanjeet, was a major release of 1973. In 1974,Do Sher (Dharmendra andRajendra Kumar),Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (Dara Singh andFeroz Khan),Sacha Mera Roop Hai (Manmohan Krishan) andDukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (Shaminder Singh and Radha Saluja) were released. The most successful wasDukh Bhanjan Tera Naam, due to the wide appeal of its religious historical setting and appearances by Bollywood actors includingSunil Dutt,Rajendra Kumar,Dharmendra,Johnny Walker,Ranjeet andDara Singh.[17]
Teri Meri Ik Jindri (1975) starredDharmendra and introduced his cousinVeerendra. Many films were released in 1976:Daaj,Giddha,Main Papi Tum Bakhshanhaar,Papi Tarey Anek,Santo Banto,Sardar-E-Azam,Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun,Taakra, andYamla Jatt.Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun was the biggest hit and starred Dara Singh in the main lead;Rajesh Khanna made a special appearance as the Qawal. The film ran into conflict with the Sikh political parties as the film hadFauj-i-Khas soldiers wearing fake beards. The year 1977 was not a major one for the Punjabi film industry.Jai Mata Di,Saal Solvan Chadya,Sat Sri Akal, andShaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha were released, amongst others.Saal Solvan Chadya was a highlight because of the cameo appearance byRekha.Sat Sri Akal was another hit film. It starredSunil Dutt,Shatrughan Sinha, andPremnath. In 1978Udeekan,Dhyani Bhagat,Jai Mata Sheranwali, andJindri Yar Di were released. The dramaUdeekan was a hit.Walayati Babu, the first ever remake in Punjabi cinema, was released in 1978. The film was remade from the Punjabi film of the same name by Johnny Walker; it featured a special appearance by Amitabh Bachchan andMehar Mittal played the main lead. 1979 was a big year:Guru Manio Granth,Jatt Punjabi,Kunwara Mama,Sukhi Pariwar, andTil Til Dalekha were released. The religious filmGuru Manio Granth was an instant hit.Jatt Punjabi had a big cast and a special appearance byManoj Kumar.Til Til Da Lekha starredRajesh Khanna as the main lead hero andMehar Mittal played the comedian's role; the film became a golden jubilee hit at the box office.Til Til Dalekha was the second Punjabi movie of Rajesh Khanna and his first film as the lead hero in Punjabi films. It won the Punjab State Government award for best story writer and second best feature film of 1979. The first Punjabi mystery film,Vangaar (The Challenge), was released but it failed to become a hit.
Chann Pardesi, the first Punjabi film to win the national award, was released in 1980, and was the biggest hit of that year. It starredRaj Babbar, Rama Vij,Amrish Puri,Om Puri, andKulbhushan Kharbanda.Fauji Chacha had veteran Bollywood actorSanjeev Kumar in the lead. A remake of Mulkh Raj Bhakhri's 1958 filmBhangra came out in 1980 from director Mohan Bhakhri. The film was titledJatti, and starred Sundar, Nishi, Mehar Mittal, and Aparna Chowdhry. As with the original, the remake was a tremendous success.[18]
1981 had only one hit:Balbiro Bhabhi. This film hadVeerendra in the lead role. Two major releases of 1982 wereJatt Da Gandasa andSarpanch.Sarpanch starred Veerendra. In 1983, many movies were released, withPutt Jattan De being the biggest commercially. Veerendra had another hit in 1984 with the filmYaari Jatt Di. This was the first Punjabi film to have more than half its footage shot in the United Kingdom.Mamla Garbar Hai was a hit for actor Gurdas Mann. The film's songs were especially loved.
Two hit films of 1985 were Mohammad Sadiq'sGuddo and Veerendra'sVairi,Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da was also in 1985, it is religious film that establishedGurdas Mann as a star..Long Da Lishkara was the big hit of 1986, starringRaj Babbar,Gurdas Mann,Om Puri, and Nina Deol. In 1987 Veerendra starred inPatola andJor Jatt Da. Punjab was shaken with the assassination of Veerendra by gunshot during the filming ofJatt Tey Zameen. The death opened the door for supporting actors includingGuggu Gill andYograj Singh to take leading roles.
1988 hadPatola as one of the major release. In 1989 came the critically acclaimedMarhi Da Deeva. The film starredRaj Babbar,Pankaj Kapur,Kanwaljit Singh,Parikshit Sahni, andDeepti Naval.
In 1990Qurbani Jatt Di was released, starringGuggu Gill,Yograj Singh,Gurdas Mann,Dharmendra,Raj Babbar andPriti Sapru. The film was directed by Preeti Sapru herself, and did well at the box office. A second important release wasDushmani Di Agg, the last film of Veerendra. It also starred Gurdas Mann and Priti Sapru, and was successful at the box office. In 1991 the major filmAnakh Jattan Di starred Daljeet Kaur andGuggu Gill. It was the first movie where the audience really accepted ex-villain Guggu Gill as a hero. The film was followed by films likeJor Jatt Da, which managed to recover its cost.Badla Jatti Da was the major success of the year. It starredGuggu Gill, Yograj Singh in a villain role, and Aman Noorie.Udeekan Saun Diyan garnered critical acclaim, but was not a commercial success.Sounh Menoo Punjab Di, starring Satish Kaul, Rama Vij, Mehar Mittal, and Pal Randhawa was also one of the releases of 1991. The film was directed bySukhdev Ahluwalia, one of the most successful directors of Punjwood, and had music by Surinder Kohli.
Vaisakhi, starringDeep Dhillon and Sunita Dheer, was released in 1991 to critical acclaim, but did not succeed commercially.Jatt Jeona Morh was a major hit that year, and made Guggu Gill a superstar. Also released wasYograj Singh'sJagga Daku (1991 film), which did moderately well.Dil Da Mamla, starring Guggu Gill and Amar Noori, did poorly at the box office.
1993 had films likeJatt Sucha Singh Soorma (with Yograj Singh and Neena Sidhu),Mirza Sahiban (starring Guggu Gill),Lalkara Jatt Da, andSaali Adhi Gharwali. These films managed to do adequately at the box office, but were not major successes. Preeti Sapru'sMehndi Shagnan Di, starring Malkit Singh, Hansraj Hans, Preeti Sapru, and Yograj Singh, lost money.Kudi Canada Di starring Yograj Singh also did poorly.
Kachehri (1994) starred Gurdas Mann, Yograj Singh, and others. The film was praised by critics, was a commercial success, and won a national award. A second release wasTabahi, starring newcomerVishal Singh; it was the blockbuster hit of the year. Guggu Gill'sVairi did quite well at the box office, butJigra Jatt Da, with Yograj Singh as the villain, did poorly at the box office.
Kimi Verma starred inNaseebo andQahar in 1995 to critical acclaim, but not commercial success.Naseebo managed to recover its costs.Pratigya, starring Guggu Gill, Gurdas Maan, Preeti Sapru, and Dara Singh, did well at the box office.Zaildaar (Yograj Singh),Nain Preeto De (Yograj Singh), andSir Dhad Di Baazi did well. Gurdas Mann'sBaghawat did not.Jakhmi Jagirdar andMera Punjab amongst others also did poorly that year.
Punjabi cinema began to decline in 1996. Only the filmSukha (starring Vishal Singh) did well at the box office.Deson Pardeson,Dhee Jatt Di (Upasana Singh, Gurkirtan, and Shivinder Mahal),Vichoda (Yograj Singh),Gawahi Jatt Di, andJorawar all did poorly at the box office. Dara Singh'sVindoo and Farha'sRabb Diyan Rakhan also fared poorly.
Films of 1997 (Mela,Truck Driver,Sardari,Preetan De Pehredaar, andPachtaawa) all failed to make a profit. Even Guggu Gill's films were not successful.Train to Pakistan was filmed in a mixture of Hindi and Punjabi, and was later dubbed into Punjabi for film festivals.
In 1998,Purja Purja Kat Mare with Guggu Gill,Laali with Dara Singh, Ravinder Maan, and Vishal, andDildaara with Kalbhooshan Kharbanda andTanuja did not make money. Even big budget films likeGuru Gobind Singh did poorly. The critically acclaimed filmMain Maa Punjab Dee (directed by Balwant Dullat) won a National Award. The filmMain Maa Punjab dee has been shown repeatedly on national television. The year ended on a positive note asJaspal Bhatti'sMahaul Theek Hai became an instant hit of Punjabi cinema. It was the first big hit sinceJatt Jeona Morh (1991) andBadla Jatti Da (1992).
Punjabi films were more successful in 1999.Mahaul Theek Hai,Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh withGurdas Maan andDivya Dutta was a critical and commercial success.Muqqadar,Tera Mera Pyar,Nadiyon Vichde Neer,Door Nahin Nankana, andIshq Nachave Gali Gali (Randeep Virender, Manjeet Kullar, Deepak Saraf, Neeru Singh, and Surinder Sharma) all did poorly at the box office.Rajniti, which was also made in Hindi, failed to make money.Raj Babbar'sShaheed Udham Singh did well towards the end of the year. There were only two major hits that year,Shaheed e Mohabbat andShaheed Udham Singh.
In 2000 there was just a single release:Dard Pardesan De, starringAvinash Wadhawan,Upasana Singh, Paramveer, andDeepshikha, which fared poorly in Punjab, but did very well overseas.Sikandra andJagira were released in 2001. Avinash Wadhawan andAyesha Jhulka starred inKhalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas, which was released to the overseas market but not in Punjab.
In 2002Jee Ayan Nu was released, featuring singer-turned-actorHarbhajan Mann and directed byManmohan Singh. The movie was made on a big budget for Punjwood – 9 million, as compared to the more typical 20–25 million. It was very successful. This was a turning point in the revival of Punjabi cinema.
Badla came out in 2003.Asa Nu Maan Watna Da was released in 2004, again with actor Harbhajan Mann and directorManmohan Singh.
Jija Ji,Des Hoyaa Pardes,Main Tu Assi Tussi,Yaaran Naal Baharan, andNalaik were released in 2005.Dil Apna Punjabi (again pairing Harbhajan and directorManmohan),Ek Jind Ek Jaan (introducingPrabhleen Sandhu),Mannat (directed and written by Gurbir Singh Grewal, having Jimmy Sheirgill and introducingKulraj Randhawa), andWaris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris came out in 2006.Kambdi Kalai, a Punjabi diaspora movie based out of the United States, came out in 2006.Rustam-e-Hind andMitti Wajan Mardi (with Harbhajan andManmohan) were released in 2007.
A significant number of movies were produced in 2008:Hashar: A Love Story (introducingGurleen Chopra),Yaariyan,Mera Pind,Lakh pardesi hoye,Heaven on earth, andSat sri akal. In 2009,Jag Jeodeye Deh Mele became a hit, andTera Mera Ki Rishta withJimmy Shergill andKulraj Randhawa was a hit. But the biggest earner of all the Punjabi films was Manmohan Singh'sMunde U.K. De withJimmy Shergill andGurpreet Ghuggi.
Munde U.K. De broke the record ofDil Apna Punjabi which was also directed byManmohan Singh and became the biggest earner of all the Punjabi movies.
Mehndi Wale Hath (2006), written and directed by Harinder Gill and with the new-star cast of Goldie Somal, Gavie Chahal, and Prableen, was a hit film ineast Punjab territory.
In 2010, 16 movies were released.Mel Karade Rabba starringJimmy Shergill,Gippy Grewal later broke all records and grossed 110 million net, becoming the highest-grossing Punjabi film ever.Babbu Maan'sEkam – Son of Soil was released in April and was a smash hit. It broughtBritish-punjabi actressMandy Takhar to the industry.Jawani Zindabad, written and directed by Harinder Gill and starring the famous Punjabi singer Raj Barar, Pooja Kanwal, Guggu Gill, and Gurkirtan, was released in March 2010. It became a big hit in Canada.Channa Sachi Muchi, written and directed by Harinder Gill and starringMiss Pooja and Goldie Somal, was released in August 2010. Also released in 2010 wasSukhmani (Hope for Life), starring Gurdas Maan, Juhi Chawla & Divya Dutta.
In 2011, the filmEk Noor starringHarshdeep Kaur andYami Gautam was released.Chhevan Dariya (The Sixth River), directed byIsh Amitoj Kaur, was released in September 2011. Kaur was the first Punjabi woman to have directed, produced, and written a Punjabi film. The film starredGulshan Grover,Neena Gupta, Manpreet Singh, Lakhwinder Wadali, Christa Cannon and Rana Ranbir.
At the end of the yearChak Jawana was released, directed by Simerjit Singh and starringGurdas Maan,Jonita Doda in the Lead Roles .
In February 2011, the PTC Punjabi channel organised the first everPTC Punjabi Film Awards at Panchkula. It was a tremendous boost to the industry and was attended by the likes ofOm Puri,Prem Chopra,Gurdas Maan, Guddu Dhanoa,Preeti Sapru,Raza Murad,Satish Kaul,Manmohan Singh,Amrinder Gill,Gippy Grewal,Jasbir Jassi,Puneet Issar,Rakesh Bedi,Rama Vij, Sudhanshu Pandey, and Akriti Kakkar.
2011 looks to be the year when the industry moves away from the "typical NRI-centered" storylines and towards more meaningful and creative storylines with movies likeThe Lion of Punjab starringDiljit Dosanjh andDharti starringRannvijay Singh.
Jihne Mera Dil Luteya is a 2011 Punjabi film directed by Mandeep Kumar with story and screenplay by Dheeraj Rattan, produced by Batra Showbiz Pvt. Ltd. and starringGippy Grewal,Diljit Dosanjh,Neeru Bajwa, andJaswinder Bhalla. It grossed 125 million. These films raise the bar of Punjabi films and take Punjabi cinema to next level.
In September 2011,Yaara o Dildaara was released, directed by Ksshitij Chaudhary and starringHarbhajan Mann, Jonita Doda,Tulip Joshi,Kabir Bedi, and Gurpreet Ghuggi. In October,Yaar Annmulle introducingYuvraj Hans andHarish Verma was released. This film was a box office hit.
This year was the considered as the golden year of Punjabi cinema and industry reached many milestones in this year by having all India impact. There was the release ofHollywood-style filmMirza – The Untold Story the most costly film (₹90 million (US$1.0 million)) in the history of Punjabi cinema[19] in April starringGippy Grewal andYo Yo Honey Singh.In June the filmJatt & Juliet was greatest blockbuster and till now holds the title of best ever film of Punjabi cinema. This film establishedDiljit Dosanjh andNeeru Bajwa as superstars of Punjabi film industry. Himesh Reshammiya has purchased the remake rights of the movie for₹35 million (US$400,000). In July 2012 out and out comedy filmCarry On Jatta starringGippy Grewal was also blockbuster only afterJatt & Juliet commercially. First time in punjabi cinema sequel of sperhit filmYaaran Naal Baharan, filmYaraan Naal Baharaan 2 was released.
In September,Ajj De Ranjhe starringDeep Dhillon andKul Sidhu was released. It was directed byMan ji. In October 2012,Saadi Wakhri Hai Shaan, directed by Gurbir Grewal, was released. The film featured eight songs, which were composed by debut music directorDilpreet Bhatia. The film's music was a contemporaryfusion of western classical and Punjabifolk music.
This year many new Production houses started the production of too many comedy movies.Binnu Dhillon,Gurpreet Ghuggi,Jaswinder Bhalla,Rana Ranbir,Karamjit Anmol andB.N. Sharma established themselves as greatest comedians of Punjabi industry.
In August 2012, the first everPunjabi International Film Academy Awards were organised in Toronto, Canada. This was a tremendous success, attended by a host of Punjabi stars. With renewed interest from the public, Punjabi cinema has seen a revival with more releases every year featuring bigger budgets, homegrown stars, and Bollywood actors of Punjabi descent taking part. Also there are film festivals likePunjabi Film Festival,Amritsar, Ma Boli International Punjabi Film Festival, Vancouver and Punjabi International Film Festival,Toronto held annually.
2013 carried the Golden phase of Punjabi movies to the next level. SuperstarsGippy Grewal,Neeru Bajwa,Diljit Dosanjh andSurveen Chawla stole the hearts of audiences by their successful films this year.Jatt & Juliet 2 broke the records of its prequelJatt & Juliet.Jatt & Juliet 2 was also released inPakistani Punjab in over 15 screens and was greatly liked by Pakistani audiences.[20]
Sadda Haq, a true story based in the late 1980s and early 1990s during a period of extreme turmoil in Punjab was the second blockbuster of the year 2013 only afterJatt & Juliet 2.Bhaji in Problem starringGippy Grewal was another blockbuster of the year produced byAkshay Kumar and also having his extended appearance along with cricketerHarbhajan Singh. Other hit films wereJimmy Shergill'sSaadi Love Story starringDiljit Dosanjh,Fer Mamla Gadbad Gadbad starringRoshan Prince andJapji Khaira,Jatts in Golmaal starringArya Babbar andSamiksha,Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22 starringYo Yo Honey Singh and superstarGippy Grewal'sLucky Di Unlucky Story and action flickSingh vs Kaur. A religious film,Pagri Singh Da Taaj, was also released.
The Hollywood blockbusterA Good Day to Die Hard dubbed inPunjabi with superstarGippy Grewal's voice was released in Punjab.
Many meaningful films based on social issues and the reality of Punjab were also successful like National Award winnerNabar,Stupid 7 based on student life in Punjab, Chandigarh student politics basedSikander,Sadda Haq, corruption and social issues basedBikkar Bai Sentimental, religious filmDastaar,Punjab Bolda,Haani, andDil Pardesi Ho Gaya.
This year also saw the production of the first Punjabi3D feature film,Pehchaan 3D, produced and directed by Manny Parmar.
Irrfan Khan starrerQissa won four awards inIndian International Film Festival of Queensland of best actor award forIrrfan, best actress award forTillotama Shome, best director award forAnup Singh and best cinematography for Sebastian Edschmid.[21]
In year 2014, around 42 films were released and nearly 80 percent of those films were allslapstick comedies. Most successful films of the year were blockbusters likeChaar Sahibzaade(3D),Gippy Grewal'sJatt James Bond,Disco Singh,Double Di Trouble,Diljit Dosanjh'sPunjab 1984,Mr & Mrs 420,Goreya Nu Daffa Karo.[22] In This year many Action Films were released likeKirpaan: The Sword of Honour,Fateh,Romeo Ranjha,Yoddha The Warrior (2014 film) andBaaz. Released in January,Patiala Dreamz was a romantic thriller,[23] with right doses of action, suspense, romance and comedy. There were many movies touching1984 subject such asPunjab 1984,Kaum De Heere,47 to 84 Hun Main Kisnu Watan Kahunga. Other films released in this year wereAa Gaye Munde U.K. De starringJimmy Shergill andNeeru Bajwa,Mundeyan Ton Bachke Rahin starringJassi Gill,Roshan Prince andSimran Kaur Mundi,Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar starringGurdas Mann andNeeru Bajwa, "Cross Connection" Released on 26 December, Produced by jasbir Dhillon (Dhillon Creations) Starring: B.N. Sharma, Upasna singh, Garry warraich, Nancy johal, Gurchet chitarkar, Parkash gadhu, Dilawar sidhu, Malkeet raouny, Anita shabdeesh, Sahib singh, Raman Dhillon, Rozy, Tarsem paul with renowned singers Rahat fateh ali khan, Arif Lohar, Kamal khan, Navraj hans, Mank-e, Tochi raina.
Also this year many notable actors and singers debuted in Punjabi cinema, this year notably veteran actorsDharmendra andPoonam Dhillon inDouble Di Trouble, famous Bollywood comedianRazak Khan inMarriage da garriage, Bollywood actressZarine Khan inJatt James Bond, singerGarry Sandhu inRomeo Ranjha.
Chaar Sahibzaade was the firstPunjabi 3D animated historical drama. It was a blockbuster, grossing over₹700 million (US$8.0 million) globally[24] and was made tax free by governments of states likeMadhya Pradesh,Delhi,Punjab,Uttrakhand,Uttar Pradesh.[25]
The Canadian-Punjabi feature filmWork Weather Wife represented Canada at the87th Oscar Awards (87th Academy Awards) and it was the onlyCanadian film that made the final shortlist of 79 Best Original Songs with its songs Moon and Long Braid. At 72nd Golden Globe Awards for Best Foreign Language Feature Film and made the top 53 films in the long list. It starsHarpreet Sandhu andReema Nagra in the lead role with Dilbag Brar andKirat Bhattal. It is directed byHarpreet Sandhu.[26]
The year 2015 was attributed to a few directors who took the risk of taking up different subjects with some fresh stories and some fresh actors and villains.Diljit Dosanjh,Neeru Bajwa andMandy Takhar-starrerSardaar Ji was blockbuster film and even achieved₹500 million (US$5.7 million) milestone gross earning record, according to the film pandits. Second Blockbuster film wasAmrinder Gill,Sargun Mehta,Aditi Sharma andBinnu Dhillon starrer, 1945 based rural Punjabi love storyAngrej which did very well both in Punjab as well as abroad.[27]
Punjabi films with a strong storyline and an equally strong direction wereShareek (directed by Navaniat Singh, starring Jimmy Shergill and Mahie Gill),Qissa Panjab (directed by Jatinder Mauhar that weaved in seven different stories into one),Judge Singh LLB (directed by Atharv Baluja as the first Punjabi courtroom drama),Gippy Grewal'sFaraar (directed by Baljit Singh Deo brought in double role with suspense) was the highest budget film with₹130 million (US$1.5 million) in the history of Punjabi cinema. Other flop films wereDildariyaan,Mitti Na Pharol Jogiya,Oh Yaara Ainvayi Ainvayi Lut Gaya,Munde Kamaal De. While films raking up controversy or inviting a ban wereThe Mastermind Jinda Sukha andPata Pata Singhan Da Vairi andNanak Shah Fakir (Temporarily that faced a ban in some parts of the country).[28]
In 2016, As many as 41 movies were released.Ambarsariya,Sardaar Ji 2,Love Punjab,Vaisakhi List,Channo Kamli Yaar Di,Kaptaan,Saadey CM Saab,Bambukat,Chauthi Koot,Nikka Zaildar were some of the big commercial/critical winners.
In the first half of 2017, New concepts and excellent content paid dividends.Super Singh,Manje Bistre,Jindua,Lahoriye,Sargi, Saab Bahadar,Sarvann,Rabb Da Radio and The Great Sardaar were some of the big commercial/critical winners.In the second half of the year,Channa Mereya,Sardar Mohammad,Nikka Zaildar 2 andVekh Baraatan Challiyan were some of the commercial hits.
In the year 2018, the first ever war-based Punjabi movieSajjan Singh Rangroot, set during World War I and starringDiljit Dosanjh, was released.Carry On Jatta 2 was another blockbuster and one of the highest grossing Punjabi movies of all time. Other commercially successful movies includeGolak Bugni Bank Te Batua,Ashke,Laung Laachi and Laavan Phere.
In year 2019, total 61 Punjabi films were released worldwide with superhits likeShadaa,Ardaas Karaan,Chal Mera Putt,Muklawa,Manje Bistre 2,Nikka Zaildar 3,Singham,Rabb Da Radio 2,Dil Diyaan Gallan,Blackia,Laiye Je Yaarian,Chandigarh Amritsar Chandigarh,Kaka Ji andBand Vajje.[29][30]Harjeeta won two awards for Best Punjabi Film and Best Child Actor at66th National Film Awards.[31] SongLaung Laachi fromLaung Laachi film became the first Indian song to reach one billion views on YouTube.[32]
| Name | Est. | City | Type | Details | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjabi Film Festival | 2007 | Amritsar | Special interest | Annual festival focusing on Punjabi films. Sur Saanjh Productions & Navtej Sandhu's brainchild. This festival is the pioneer of Punjabi Film Awards. | |
| International Film Festival of South Asia | 2012 | Toronto | International | Annual festival focusing on the cinema of South Asia. | http://www.iffsatoronto.com |
| Ma Boli International Punjabi Film Festival | 2013 | Vancouver | Special interest | Annual showcase of Punjabi films. | http://www.mabolifilmfestival.com |
| New Zealand Punjabi Film Festival | 2017 | Auckland | Special interest | Annual showcase of Punjabi films. | |
| Punjabi International Film Festival | 2012 | Toronto | Special interest | Annual short film festival focusing on Punjabi films | http://www.pifftoronto.com |
| Sikh International Film Festival | 2013 | Toronto | Special interest | Annual showcase of Sikh films. | http://sikhfoundationcanada.com/sifft/Archived 21 January 2019 at theWayback Machine |
| Virasat Film Festival and Awards | 2016 | Melbourne | Special interest | Annual festival focusing on Punjabi films. | http://www.virasatipffa.netArchived 21 January 2018 at theWayback Machine |
Other notable Punjabi film & video production and distribution houses:
Prior to the late-1900s, Punjabi film companies were largely immersed in the competition for the domestic market. Limited toEast Punjab andWest Punjab and low number of screens in Punjabi-speaking areas ofDelhi andRajasthan (Sri Ganganagar,Hanumangarh) and no prospect in metro cities, distribution was a problem for Punjabi filmmakers. It was difficult to compete with the huge demand for films created byBollywood. Gradually, Punjabi companies moved to theAustralasian,European andNorth American markets.
In recent years,Canada has become a popular destination for shooting Punjabi films[33] and is the second largest market of Punjabi cinema.[34] About 50 percent of the revenue for all successful Punjabi films are generated from the overseas markets, includingAustralia, Canada,Malaysia,New Zealand,United Kingdom andUnited States.[35] A number of Punjabi films have also surpassed the gross collections of Bollywood films in the overseas markets. Punjabi films are finding more releases in Punjabi-dominated areas ofSouth Asia, including East Punjab, West Punjab, Delhi,Haryana,Himachal Pradesh,[36]Uttarakhand (Rudrapur,Bajpur,Kashipur) and[37]Jammu.[38] Punjabi films are also distributed to less-Punjabi populated regions, includingstates of India:Bengaluru,Gujarat,Hyderabad,Kolkata,Madhya Pradesh,Nanded,Odisha,Bihar and countries:Austria,Belgium,France,Germany,Hong Kong,Italy,Malaysia,Netherlands,Pakistan (other than West Punjab) andSingapore.[39] Punjabi cinema makes zero money from satellite or music due to absence of a sustainable satellite mechanism.[40][41]
At the home territory, Punjab, against only 4 multiplexes in all of East Punjab in 2007, as of 2014 the numbers have increased to 36[42] with 99 more approved by theGovernment of Punjab, India for construction. These in turn have attracted a large middle class audience for Punjabi films which did not exist before.
Punjabi film industry has establishedParallel Cinema in these years also.[43][44] The National Award-winningMarhi Da Deeva (1989) mercilessly explores the issues of economic inequality, social segregation in life ofdalit farm labourers and other landless communities in Punjab. Another National Award winner,Anhe Ghore Da Daan (2011) diligently puts across the distressed and frustrated life-cycle of marginalisedDalits in Punjab.[45] It is the first Punjabi-language film to have travelled to so many international film festivals. The film premiered in the Orizzonti section (Horizons) at the68th Venice International Film Festival. It won the Special Jury Award and the $50,000 Black Pearl trophy at theAbu Dhabi Film Festival. It was also shown at the 55thBFI London Film Festival, 49th New York Film Festival and the16th Busan International Film Festival.[46] The film also won the Golden Peacock award for best film at the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2012 held in Panaji, Goa.[47]Khamosh Pani (2003) is a tragic story of widowed mother and her young son set in a late 1970s village inWest Punjab and relations of communities after1947 Partition of Punjab starringKiron Kher andShilpa Shukla.
| Rank | Peak | Title | Year | Director(s) | Writer(s) | Production House(s) | Worldwide Gross | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Carry on Jatta 2 | 2018 | Smeep Kang | Vaibhav Suman, Shreya Srivastava,Naresh Kathooria | White Hill Studios, A & A Advisors | ₹57.67 Crore | [52] |
| 2 | 2 | Saunkan Saunkne | 2022 | Amarjit Singh Saron | Amberdeep Singh | Naad Studios, Dreamiyata Entertainment, JR Production House | ₹57.60 Crore | [56][57] |
| 3 | 2 | Chal Mera Putt 2 | 2020-2021-2022 | Janjot Singh | Rakesh Dhawan, Sunil Dhawan | Rhythm Boyz Entertainment, Gillz Network, Omjee Star Studios, Phantasy Films Ltd Productions | ₹57.15 Crore | [58] |
| 4 | 3 | Honsla Rakh | 2021-2022 | Amarjit Singh Saron | Rakesh Dhawan | Thind Motion Films, Storytime Productions | ₹54.62 Crore | [59] |
| 5 | 2 | Shadaa | 2019 | Jagdeep Sidhu | Jagdeep Sidhu | A & A Adivisors, Brat Films | ₹53.10 Crore | [citation needed] |
| 6 | 1 | Chaar Sahibzaade | 2014 | Harry Baweja | Harry Baweja, Baldev Gill,Pathik Vats | Baweja Movies, Irealities Technology | ₹46.34 Crore | [60] |
| 7 | 7 | Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya | 2022 | Amrinder Gill | Amberdeep Singh | Amberdeep Films, Rhythm Boyz Entertainment | ₹39.43 Crore | |
| 8 | 2 | Sardaarji | 2015 | Rohit Jugraj | Dheeraj Rattan, Jatinder Lall,Surmeet Maavi | White Hill Studios | ₹38.38 Crore | [61] |
| 9 | 6 | Chal Mera Putt 3 | 2021 | Janjot Singh | Rakesh Dhawan, Jatinder Lall | Rhythm Boyz Entertainment, Gillz Network, Omjee Star Studios, Canvas Creations Ltd | ₹35.84 Crore |
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The Punjabi film industry has produced a number of successful actors, actresses, writers, directors and filmmakers, many of whom have been known internationally.
Actresses
Mirza, said to be the most expensive Punjabi film (Rs 9 crore) in the history of Punjabi cinema! "Really, is that what you think? Well, what I know is that the film was made with Rs 3 crore," leaving the rest to our discretion.
Sidhu was the man behind the wide release of Jatt and Juliet 2 in Pakistan last October
Punjab 1984, Jatt James Bond and Chaar Sahibzaade, these three films gave the industry the much needed hope and support to run a little more
So much so that the movie, which cost Baweja Rs 20 crore, has earned around Rs 70 crore globally
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