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The Punjabi film industry, popularly known as Pollywood, is a regional film industry that caters to the Punjabi audience. The Punjabi film industry dates back to 1928 and continues to produce some excellent movies actively. It hosts some very gifted actors, such as Diljit Dosanjh, Jassie Gill, and Suvreen Chawla, who have also established themselves in the mainstream Hindi film industry.
History of Punjabi movies
- The first Punjabi film dates back to 1928 with the release of Daughters of Today in present-day Lahore. It was a silent film directed by Shankradev Arya.
- The first Punjabi sound film was Heer Ranjha, directed by Abdur Rashid Kardar and was released in 1932.
- Roop K Shorey directed the first Punjabi movie post-partition in 1948.
Post-independence, the Punjabi film industry flourished, catering to the local audiences and the large Punjabi population in Pakistan, Canada, and the US.
- A hit satire featuring Sundar and Nishi was Mulkh Raj Bhakhri’s Bhangra (1958).
- Chief Mohan Bhakhri remade Bhangra as Jatti in 1980, featuring Mehar Mittal and Aparna Chowdhry. Hansraj Behl was the composer of the film’s music, and Verma Malik did the songs. The film ran successfully.
Popular Punjabi Movies
Here’s a list of Punjabi Movies along with few additional details about them:
Punjabi Movie Name | Year of Release | IMDb Rating | Actors/Actress | Director |
Shaheed-E-Mohabbat Boota Singh | 1999 | 8.2 | Divya Dutta, Gurdas Mann, and Raghuvir Yadav | Manoj Punj, Shamim Ara |
Hawayein | 2003 | 7.1 | Babbu Mann, Amitjot Mann and Mukul Dev | Amitjot Mann |
Mitti | 2010 | 8.4 | Kashish Dhanoyaa, Mika Singh, and Sardar Sohi | Jatinder Mahuhar |
Yaar Anmulle | 2011 | 7.4 | Harish Verma, Arya Babbar, and Yuvraj Hans | Anurag Singh |
Jatt and Julliet | 2012 | 7.5 | Neeru Bajwa, Diljit Dosanjh | Anurag Singh |
Carry on Jatta | 2012 | 8.3 | Mahie Gill, Gippy Grewal | Smeep Kang |
Punjab 1984 | 2014 | 8.5 | Kirron Kher, Diljit Dosanjh and Sonam Bajwa | Anurag Singh |
Chaar Shibzaade | 2014 | 8.4 | Harman Baweja, Om Puri | Harry Baweja |
Shareek | 2015 | 7.5 | Mahie Gill, Jimmy Shergil, and Mukul Dev | Navaniat Singh |
Ardaas | 2016 | 8.4 | Ammy Virk, Gurpreet Ghuggi | Gippy Grewal |
Famous Punjabi Actors
Here’s a list of some recognised Punjabi Actors that you should learn about:
Name of Actor | Active Years | Popular Films | Major Awards/Recognitions |
Veerendra | 1975-1988 | Nimmo, Jatt te Zameen, and Lajjo | — |
Guggu Gill | 1985 – Present | Putt Jattan De, Zaildaar, and Nalayak | Lifetime Achievement Awards – PTC Film Awards |
Gurdas Mann | 1984 – Present | Pratigya, Mamla Gadbad Hai, and Shaheed-E-Mohabbat Boota Singh | Best Playback Singer – National Awards for Films |
Jaspal Bhatti | 1985 – 2012 | Power Cut, Fanaa, Kartoos and Aa Ab Laut Chalein | Padma Bushan – Contribution to Film Industry |
Jimmy Shergill | 1996 – Present | Shareek, Jindua and Dharti | Best Actor – PTC Film Awards for Mel Karade Rabba |
Gippy Grewal | 2010 – Present | Mel Karade Rabba, Carry On Jatta 2, and Jatt James Bond | Best Actor – PTC Film Awards for Jatt James Bond, and Carry on Jatta 2 |
Diljit Dosanjh | 2010 – Present | Jatt and Juliet, Honsla Rakh, and Sardaarji | Best Actor – Filmfare Punjabi Awards for Ambarsariya |
Ammy Virk | 2014 – Present | Qismat, Bambukat, and Sufna | Best Actor – Filmfare Punjabi Awards for Bambukat |
Famous Punjabi Actresses
Here is a list of some of the most famous Punjabi actresses:
Name of Actor | Active Years | Popular Films | Major Awards/Recognitions |
Nirmal Rishi | 1983 – Present | Laung Da Lishkara, Angrez, and Marriage Place | Best Actress in Supporting Cast – Filmfare Punjabi for Nikka Zaildar and Nikka Zaildar 2 |
Upasna Singh | 1988 – Present | Indira, Badla Jatti Da, and Jatt and Juliet | Best Actress in Supporting Cast – Filmfare Punjabi for Jatt and Juliet & Disco Singh |
Neeru Bajwa | 1998 – Present | Jatt and Juliet, Saddi Love Story, and Shadaa | Best Actress – Filmfare Punjabi for Channo Kamli Yaar Di |
Surveen Chawla | 2011 – Present | Taur Mittran Di, Singh vs Kaur, and `Disco Singh | Best Actress – PTC Punjabi Awards for Disco Singh |
Sonam Bajwa | 2013 – Present | Best of Luck, Punjab 1984 and Honsla Rakh | Best Actress – PTC Punjabi Awards for Ardab Mutiyaran |
Sargun Mehta | 2015 – Present | Lahoriye, Angrej, and Qismat | Best Actress – PTC Punjabi Awards for Lahoriye and Love Punjab |
Conclusion
The Punjabi film industry, often called Pollywood, released its first feature film in 1928. Since then, the industry has given the entertainment world many blockbusters such as Carry on Jatta, Qismat, Love Punjab, and Shadaa. Punjabi actors and actresses such as Gurdas Mann, Diljit Dosanjh, Surveen Chawla, Neeru Bajwa, Gippy Grewal and Amy Virk have received international recognition for their acting skills. Today, Punjabi movies are much loved by people across the country and internationally.
