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.