The Punjabi film industry is in off mode since the first movie Daughters of Today was released in 1928. This feature film produced in Punjab was followed by the first sound film, Heer Ranjha (1932), using the sound-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.

This industry has given some very good actors to Bollywood. It's contribution to Bollywood music and scripts is even more commendable. Earlier there were just 2-3 movies being released in theatres. The 21st century has seen a big number of movies being produced. The last decade has been so good that some of the movies are garnering collections ranging from 30 crore plus. Though there might be very few movies making this mark, it is an encouraging sign which eggs rookies to take a plunge.

These days we see almost 2-3 movies being released by the big banners. The advent of multiplex is also responsible for the regional movies making a mark. Marathi and Bhojpuri movies are cases to the point. Then the likes of Priyanka Chopra joining this league of movie makers makes things very positive for Pollywood.


One of the first successful Punjabi singer cum actor taking the plunge to produce movies regularly has been Gippy Grewal. His raking the moolah made a lot of singers/actors joining the league. Amrinder Gill and Ammy Virk were the first to take this bait. Tarsem Jassar and Binnu Dhillon followed suit and we gonna see more celebrities taking the risk to make this space more interesting.

The Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board and National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) formulated Punjab Entertainment Industry and film Tourism Promotion Policy (PEIFTPP) 2013 and it's been working in close association with Punjab State Film Commission. The policy allows a rebate on entertainment tax to Punjab filmmakers if 75% of dialogues of the movie are in Punjabi. This great initiative is also one of the important factors responsible for blossoming of great movies being showcased every month all over India and abroad.

We are already aware of the great talent of Punjabis being exploited in South and Bollywood. However, this new kid on the block shall really turn the tide for this beautiful language to shape the future of aspiring local talent.