New Age filmmakers bring hope to Punjabi cinema

After decades of hard-selling its brand of comedy, the Punjabi film industry is coming into its own with New Age filmmakers

A still from Shaheed-e- Mohabbat director Anurag Singh; a still from Jatt and Juliet; Chaar Sahibzaade is the first 3D animation film; Punjab 1984

Be it the songs, the wedding scenes or the lingo, there’s a little bit of Punjab in every Bollywood film. However, while the Punjabi idiom has thrived in Hindi cinema, the Punjabi film industry languished for years. In 2013, Punjabi films accounted for three per cent of the total market share of films produced in the country. Punjab also has the lowest number of screens in India, a mere 196 in comparison to 1,000 in Maharashtra, 350 in Kerala and 400 in West Bengal. That was the bad news. The good news is that, much like Bollywood, hope is round the corner.

In the past few years, courtesy some laudable efforts by intrepid, New Age filmmakers, Punjabi cinema is slowing coming of age. Topping the list is Anurag Singh, who after a hugely successful debut in 2011 with his Yaar Annmulle, went on to make the super hit Jatt and Juliet in 2012 and its second part in 2013. His latest, Punjab 1984, a film that deals with the sensitive issue of riots and missing youth in Punjab, was critically and commercially lauded. Before Singh, Manjeet Mann, wife of actor-singer Gurdas Mann, delved into the richness of Punjabi literature, deviating from the comic formula that had become so endemic to Punjabi cinema. Mann made a series of true-life stories from Shaheed-e- Mohabbat, Boota Singh to Sukhmani: Hope for Life.

Another film that has given Punjabi cinema a much-needed shot in the arm is Harry Bawejas Chaar Sahibzaade, which released this month, the first 3D animation film in Punjabi, that has already grossed over Rs 50 crore.

“When I entered the film production market in 1999, I had no idea about filmmaking. I loved watching films but was tired of the mentality of filmmakers who thought that Punjabi cinema is only about balle balle and comedy. I was determined to prove them wrong,” says Mann, who has made seven films on real-life stories. “Our budgets are low. I made my first film, Boota Singh, in Rs 86 lakh and my latest in five crore. But the returns are nowhere near the Hindi film industry. We make zero money from satellite or music,” says Mann.

What also ails the industry, says Singh, is the complete absence of government support. They don’t take filmmaking seriously, he rues. What worked for Jatt and Juliet other than its contemporary feel, was that its release coincided with the multiplex culture in the country. “Before that, families rarely came to watch Punjabi cinema; they considered it infra dig. But with Jatt and Juliet, their attitude changed. Youngsters found the film ‘cool’ and trooped in, and the ambience of multiplexes helped. Till then, Punjabi audience were hesitant unless the film happened to be a religious one,” says the 38-year-old.

But if the audience at home is reluctant, their brethren abroad make up for it. Over 50 per cent of the revenue for all Punjabi films comes from the overseas market. North America leads, followed by the UK. New Zealand is a promising emerging market. “The Punjabi industry has survived thanks to the steadfast support by viewers abroad,”says Mann.

According to Munish Sahnee, a leading distributor for Punjabi movies, the lack of organisation has proved to be a stumbling block. “The potential is huge as proved by Chaar Sahibzaade but the Punjabi film industry has to stop working like an unorganised sector,” says Sahnee, who released 15 Punjabi films in 2014.

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But Singh is still hesitant to label the change as a tectonic one. “The New Age films are fewer, may be three or four, compared to the 40-50 being produced annually,” says Singh, who is six-films-old, “Even Gurvinder Singh’s Anhe Ghore Da Daan won huge acclaim but remained confined to the festival circuit. This needs to change.”

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More

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