A Renaissance In Punjabi Cinema

[kdsingh80]

A Renaissance in Punjabi Cinema

by ALKESH SHARMA

Punjabi cinema is finally coming into its own with bigger budgets and larger audiences, says noted Punjabi filmmaker Manmohan Singh. But he feels the industry is still in the stage of infancy and has a long way to go to widen its reach.

"We can call this the renaissance period of Punjabi cinema. Everything is getting rejuvenated here. People have also started taking Punjabi cinema more seriously," said Manmohan Singh.

The films have become more cosmopolitan in their approach as they are also catering to the demands of the Punjabi diaspora.

Manmohan Singh is credited with turning the fortunes of Punjabi cinema by churning out five big hits - Jee Aayan Nu, Asaa(n) Nu Maan Watna Da, Yaaran Naal Baharaan, Dil Apna Punjabi and Mitti Waajan Mardi in the last five years.

His next project, Mera Pind - My Home is slated to release in mid September and it stars Harbhajan Singh Mann and former cricketer-anchor Navjot Singh Sidhu.

"Earlier Bollywood stars did Punjabi movies in their free time or just as a pastime. But today we have talented actors like Harbhajan Singh Mann, who have made Punjabi movies their priority and are working hard to the support the industry," said Manmohan.

"Earlier, when we used to travel abroad by air there were options of seeing Bollywood, Hollywood and South Indian movies in the aircraft. But now you can easily find Punjabi movies in the list also. When we go abroad, people enthusiastically ask us about the forthcoming Punjabi movies," he said.

Harbhajan agrees with Manmohan. "I consider this the golden phase of Punjabi movies. The budget has also soared from a few hundred thousand to tens of millions and filmmakers are using the best techniques available.

"Today we are releasing Punjabi movies in five-six countries other than India. But our aim is to increase its spectrum by releasing them in 40-50 countries in the coming days."

Harbhajan teamed up with Manmohan in 2000 to revive the ailing Punjabi film industry. He has given four Punjabi blockbusters with Manmohan and is waiting for their next venture, Mera Pind.

Manmohan Singh said it hurts when other filmmakers lampoon Sikhs in their movies.

"We wanted to break this myth and portray the essence of true Sikhism that has proved its mettle all over the world," he said.

Navjot Singh Sidhu, who makes his debut in Punjabi films with Mera Pind, said: "Movies like Singh is Kinng where the main protagonist is a Sikh guy will certainly boost their image on the big screen. Now it is the time of Punjabis and Punjabi cinema to rule this world."

[Courtesy: Hindustan Times]

[kdsingh80]

What are the views of people here Which is worst Punjabi cinema or Hindi cinema for sikhs.If you ask me then I will say Punjabi films are much worse for sikhs than Hindi

[GillAUS]

The mainstream Indian cinema on a whole (besides a few films now and then) is an insult to one's intelligence.

Until they ditch the typical Bollywood masala nonsense, Indian cinema will never be taken seriously on the world stage.

It's better that Sikhs invest in more westernised style films and media to portray ourselves (Bend it like Beckham doesn't count lol)

[Mithar]

The mainstream Indian cinema on a whole (besides a few films now and then) is an insult to one's intelligence.

Until they ditch the typical Bollywood masala nonsense, Indian cinema will never be taken seriously on the world stage.

It's better that Sikhs invest in more westernised style films and media to portray ourselves (Bend it like Beckham doesn't count lol)

Very true. It would be better if Punjabis start to invest in more westernized style films. Sadly the trend is that Punjabi films are copying bollywood style which is a complete joke as far as films are concearned. Punjabi films are definitely not good for Sikh society.

[kdsingh80]

Punjabi Films are basically Jatt films.The story always revolve around clean shaven jatt sikh hero.

[GillAUS]

Interestingly, the 'Jatt movies' of the 80's and early 90's have their roots in Pakistani Punjabi cinema, from which they were essentially copied.

In fact, most Pakistani Punjabi movies at one point all featured the word "Jatt" in their titles.

Edited July 27, 2010 by GillAUS

[kdsingh80]

But Indian Punjabi Films only show clean shaven jatt sikhs as heroes.While the father of hero and the comedions are sardars.We always blame bollywood for making mockery of sikhs because majority of producer directors are Hindu or muslims.But what can one say about Punjabi films where most people are sikhs.Is it because we sikhs hate our own image and we don't want to see a turbaned hero