Punjabi cinema ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿਨੇਮਾ is the Punjabi language film industry in the states of Punjab in India.The first Punjabi film was made in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and was released in Lahore, provincial capital of the Pakistani Punjab.As of 2009, the Punjabi film industry has produced between 900 and 1,000 films.Since the 2000s Punjabi cinema has seen a revival with more releases every year with bigger budgets, home grown stars, and Bollywood actors of Punjabi descent taking part.
First film
K.D. Mehra made the first Punjabi "talkie" film, Sheila, also known as Pind Di Kudi in 1936. Young Noor Jehan was introduced as an actress and singer in this film. Sheila was made in the city of Calcutta(now Kolkata ) and released in Lahore. It ran very successfully and was a hit across the province. Due to the success of this film more producers started making Punjabi films. K.D. Mehra made his second film, Heer Sial (1938), with the assistance of M.M. Billoo Mehra. This film had Noor Jehan and new artists Balo and M. Ismail. This film was commercially successful.
Punjabi Cinema in 2000s
In 2000 there was just a single release: Dard Pardesan De, starring Avinash Wadhawan, Upasana Singh, Paramveer, and Deepshikha, which fared poorly in Punjab, but did very well overseas. Sikandra and Jagira were released in 2001. Avinash Wadhawan and Ayesha Jhulka starred in Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas , which was released to the overseas market but not in Punjab.
In 2002 Jee Ayan Nu was released, featuring singer turned actor Harbhajan Mann and directed by Manmohan Singh. The movie was made on a big budget for Punjwood - 90 lakhs, as compared to the more typical 20-50 lakhs. 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 director Manmohan Singh.
Jija Ji, Des Hoyaa Pardes, Main Tu Assi Tussi, Yaaran Naal Baharan, and Nalaik were released in 2005. Dil Apna Punjabi (again pairing Harbhajan and Manmohan), Ek Jind Ek Jaan, Mannat directed and written by Gurbir Singh Grewal Having Jimmy Sheirgill and Introducing Kulraj Randhawa and Waris 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 and Mitti Wajan Mardi (Harbhajan and Manmohan) were released in 2007.
A significant number of movies were produced in 2008: Yaariyan, Mera Pind, Lakh pardesi hoye, Heaven on earth, and Sat sri akal. In 2009, Jag Jeodeye Deh Mele became a hit, and Tera Mera Ki Ristha with Jimmy Shergill was a hit. But the biggest earner of all the Punjabi films was Manmohan Singh's Munde Uk De with Jimmy Shergill and Gurpreet Ghugghi.
Munde Uk De broke the record of Dil Apna Punjabi Movie which was also directed by Manmohan Singh and became the biggest earner of all the Punjabi movies.
Mehndi Wale Hath with new star cast Goldie Somal, Gavie Chahal, Prableen etc. Was a hit film in east Punjab territory released in 2006. Written &Directed by Harinder gill.
Jawani Zindabad featuring Raj Brar the famous Punjabi singer, Pooja Kanwal, Gugu Gill, Gurkirtan etc. Written & directed by Harinder Gill released in March 2010.Its a big hit in Canada. Channa Sachi Muchi starring Miss Puja & Goldie Somal writer & director Harinder Gill released in Aug.2010.
Punjabi Cinema in 2010s
In 2010, 16 movies were released. Mel Karade Rabba, starring Jimmy Shergill later broke all records and grossed 11 crore net and became the highest grossing Punjabi film ever. Sukhmani (film) (Hope for life), starring Gurdas Maan, Juhi Chawla & Divya Dutta. Chhevan Dariya (The Sixth River), directed by Ish Amitoj Kaur was released on September, 2011. Ish Amitoj Kaur was the first Punjabi woman to have directed produced and written a Punjabi film. The film starred Gulshan Grover, Neena Gupta, Manpreet Singh, Lakhwinder Wadali, Christa Cannon and Rana Ranbir.
In the year ending Chak Jawana were released, directed by Simerjit Singh starring Gurdas Maan.
In February 2011, the PTC Punjabi channel organised the first ever Punjabi film awards at Panchkula. It was a tremendous boost to the industry and was attended by the likes of Om Puri, Prem Chopra, Gurdas Maan, Guddu Dhanoa, Preeti Sapru, Raza Muraad, Satish Kaul, Manmohan Singh, Amrinder Gill, Gippy Grewal, Jasbir Jassi, Puneet Issar, Rakesh Bedi, Rama Vij, Sudhanshu Pandey, Akriti Kakkar and many more.
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 like The Lion of Punjab and Dharti. This year also saw the production of the first Punjabi 3D feature film Pehchaan 3D.
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 starring Gippy Grewal, Diljit Dosanjh, Neeru Bajwa, Jaswinder Bhalla . It grossed 12.5 crore.
In September, Yaara o Dildaara directed by Ksshitij Chaudhary, starring Harbhajan Mann, Tulip Joshi, Kabir Bedi, Gurpreet Ghuggi.
National Award winners
National award winner film Anhe Ghore Da Daan
Satluj De Kande (1964) and Nanak Naam Jahaaz Hai (1969) directed by Panna Lal Maheshwari won the National Film Award's Certificate of Merit.
Best feature film awards were won by Chann Pardesi (1980), directed by Chitrarth; Marhi Da Deeva (1989), directed by Surinder Singh; Kachehari (1994), Main Maa Punjab Dee (1998), written and directed by Balwant Dullat; Shaheed-E-Mohabbat (1999), directed by Manoj Punj; Shaheed Udham Singh (2000), directed by Chitrarth; and Des Hoya Pardes (2005)."waris shah - ishq daa waaris" (2006)directed by Manoj Punj.The film Anhe Ghore Da Daan won National Awards for Best Direction, Cinematography and Best Feature Film in Punjabi at the 59th National Film Awards of India.