It was the year 1935 when the first Punjabi film, with sound, came to life. Ishk-i-Punjab was the first from the world of Pollywood, directed by GR Sethi and produced under Hindmata Cinetone. ‘Daughters of Today’ , a silent film, was released in 1928 before that. Post partition, Sardar became the first Punjabi film in the year 1948. All of these films, including the iconic Heer Ranjha, marked the beginning of the industry that grew in unimaginable ways through the years following them. What followed after them were different kinds of films that were being produced and loved by the masses. In 1959, ‘Bhangra’ started the trend of lively music tracks and Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai became the pioneer of devotional cinema.
Once Pollywood began, it never looked back and came up with a plethora of films. In 1997 it produced five films annually. By 2022 this number had increased by multiple folds. It has now surged to over 100 films emphasizing the growth of Punjabi film production. Its commercial success cannot be ignored either. Its gross box office revenue has exceeded over 1200 crores.
From the silent film and devotional ones to films around folklore and the romantic comedies of today, there isn’t any genre that Pollywood has not given birth to. While it’s known for romantic comedies, there has always been space for historical dramas, biopics, family drama and many more. Films like Subedar Joginder Singh, Angrej, Chidiyan da Chamba, Chauthi Koot are proof of the same.
What also changed the trajectory of Punjabi films is the year 2012 when Jatt & Juliet hit the screens and brought commercial success. So much so that its 3rd sequel has been released in 30 counties. Jatt and Juliet 3 earned approximately ₹187 million making it the highest grossing Punjabi film. Even other films like Chaar Sahibzaade have been celebrated a lot in the United Kingdom – earning around ₹71.6 million.
The global acceptance of Punjabi cinema has been significant over the years. Even neo-realist films have found space in the gambit of international cinema. Gurvinder Singh’s Chauthi Koot and Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan have won a lot of recognition and awards globally. Even films like Meel Patthar have been screened at prestigious film festivals like Cannes. The success of Pollywood on the international stage hasn’t been only in terms of commerce and collection, but also in the craft and nuances of storytelling. Raj Kundra, whose debut film Mehar is releasing this year, also says, “It’s a matter of great pride when we see Punjabi films and art being talked about on the global stage. But it’s also a matter of responsibility to keep adding to the growth of the Punjabi cinema and make films that leave an impact.”
One of the key reasons behind the significant growth is also the Punjabi diaspora in various countries like Canada, UK, USA and Australia. The demand of Pollywood films in these countries have been quite celebratory and have contributed to substantial revenue.
Another reason for Pollywood gaining prominence is its culture and music. Punjabi music has not just been restricted to Punjab anymore, but is played in every big event, wedding and moment across India. Instagram is full of reels that celebrate these songs. Public figures like Diljit Dosanjh and Guru Randhawa have a role to play too. Punjabi tracks have built intrigue towards Punjabi art as well – which has added to the curiosity of Pollywood for film buffs. Not just in India, but across the globe people are tapping their feet to the tracks from Punjabi films.
Another pivotal factor contributing to the rise of Pollywood is the growing strength of production houses like Humble Motion Pictures who have given us films like Ardaas Karaan and Jatt and Juliet 3 and White Hill studios who have delivered successful cinema like Punjab 1984, Carry on Jatta 2 and many more. Even OTT platforms have added to the wave by making Punjabi cinema more accessible across the world.
The journey of Pollywood is indeed a great trajectory to witness and observe. The recent numbers and love for Punjabi film industry only foreshadows a brighter future of the industry. It’s becoming one of the most sought after places to make more impactful cinema and is also becoming a place of keen interest for youth to build their career in. Raj Kundra, who’s one of the key people making their mark in the industry this year, believes, “The growth of Punjabi Cinema over the years has been so impressive and today, it’s at its peak. This is a period of revolution for Punjabi Cinema. With our music and culture being celebrated globally, it’s a great opportunity to support more films and continue the saga of the rise of Pollywood.” Raj Kundra’s debut film Mehar is all set to hit the screens on 5th of September this year. Mehar, the tale of relationships and a family drama, is expected to create ripples in the already booming Pollywood industry.
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