Punjabi cinema, also known as Pollywood or Punjwood, is cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Punjabi-language widely spoken in the Indian state of Punjab. It is based in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Mohali.
Punjabi cinema began with the 1928 silent film of Daughters of Today, produced in the region in Lahore. In 1932, the first sound film, Heer Ranjha, using sound-on-disc technology, was released. 2,377 short-films and 117 feature-films were produced in Punjabi by 1989.
History
Silent Era (1920's) In 1924, the first Punjabi film, Daughters of Today, was released in Lahore; the city had nine operational cinema houses. Movies shown at these cinemas were mostly produced in Bombay and Calcutta, and seldom from Hollywood and London. Daughters of Today was a brainchild of G.K. Mehta, a former officer with the North-Western Railways who, much like H. S. Bhatavdekar, had imported a camera into the country. Mehta continued to produce newsreel coverage for companies abroad and delved into further film projects but his dedication gave way when he promptly left the film industry for more profitable ventures.
In 1928, alongside Muhammad Ismail, Abdur Rashid Kardar who previously worked with Mehta, started a studio and production company under the name United Players Corporation after having sold all his belongings. Set up at Ravi Road (now Timber Market), the duo hired actors to work with them on their projects. Shooting was mainly done in daylight and limited their productivity, but the area they encompassed was enriched with locations, including important landmarks. Actors who worked for the studio included Hiralal, Gul Hamid, Nazir, Pran Sikhand, Kaushalya Devi, Gulzaar, Mumtaaz and Ahmed Deen.
Later, in 1929, Kardar made his directorial debut with the release of Husn Ka Daku, which led to him being inducted into the director's guild. Through this film, the Punjabi film industry had established in essence in Lahore's Bhati Gate locality. Kardar, a professional calligraphist, was accompanied by his friend Ismail, hwho would make the posters for his films.
Advent of sound films (1930s–1946) In 1932, Heer Ranjha, originally titled Hoor Punjab, was the first Punjabi sound film ever made. It was produced by Hakim Ram Prasad(formerly, United Players Corporation). This was the last film directed by Kardar in Lahore, starring M. Ismail while launching the careers of Rafiq Ghaznavi, Nazeer and Anwari.
In 1935, produced by Indira Movie Tone, Krishna Dev Mehra released his directorial début, Pind Di Kudi. It was produced in Calcutta and released in Lahore; it debuted Noor Jahan as an actor and a playback singer. Due to the success of this film, interest in Punjabi films started to escalate; therefore, in 1938, with the assistance of Madan Mohan Mehra, K.D. Mehra released his second Punjabi sound film, Heer Sial.
Many actors, filmmakers and technicians shifted from Bombay and Calcutta to Lahore as studios started to open. Prominent names, included: Shanta Apte, Motilal, Chandra Mohan, Hiralal, Noor Jehan, Mumtaz Shanti, Wali, Syed Attahullah Shah Hashmi, Krishna Kumar, and Shanker Hussain. Baldev Raj Chopra, later known as a director, started from the Punjabi film industry in Lahore, where he operated a film magazine called the Cine Herald. Likewise, Ramanand Sagar, later a director, was associated with the Evening News and Syed Attahullah Shah Hashmi worked for the film newspaper, Adakar.
Bhati Gate is known to have produced some of most notable actors, writers and artists, but with tensions running swift towards the independence of Pakistan and India in 1947, most of the actors travelled into areas that are now a part of modern India. The industry left in Lahore would later be termed as Lollywood, a portmanteau of Lahore and Hollywood.
Post-partition (1947-49) In 1947, the British Indian province of Punjab was partitioned between Pakistan and India, into what is referred to as, West & East Punjab respectively. Following partition, the newly-Eastern Punjabi actors, filmmakers and musicians were compelled to work in the Bombay industry, including actors, such as: K.L. Saigal, Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand and singers such as Mohammed Rafi, Noorjahan and Shamshad Begum. In 1948, Roop K. Shorey directed the first Punjabi film following the partition of Punjab. Other notable films of the late 1940s include: Lachhi (1949), Mundri (1949) and Pheray (1949).
1950s–1960s Punjabi cinema faced a decline in this period; films like Posti, Do Lachhian and Bhangra had some success, but were not able to revive Punjabi cinema. A long-term audience for these films came as a result of their soundtrack being listened to by audiences years after the films were released.
During this period, the ongoing trend of comedies continued. A hit comedy was Mulkh Raj Bhakhri's Bhangra (1958), starring Sundar and Nishi. It was remade by director Mohan Bhakhri as Jatti in 1980 with Mehar Mittal and Aparna Chowdhry, and it was again a commercial success. The music from the film was by Hansraj Behl with lyrics by Verma Malik.
In 1964, the romantic film Satluj De Kande, was released; this was the only Punjabi film starring Balraj Sahni. It was a major hit earning a National Film Award and was telecasted thrice on the public TV channel Doordarshan in India.
In 1969, the religious film Nanak Nam Jahaz Hai was released. The film was the first successful Punjabi film in post-independent India, with a major cultural impact on Punjabi Sikhs at home and abroad, and is credited with the revival of the Punjabi film industry in India. People stood in kilometre-long lines to buy a ticket for the film.
1970s After the success of Nanak Nam Jahaz Hai, films were released in huge numbers. Hindi actors of Punjabi descent became interested in Punjabi films. Kankan De Ohle and Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar were released in 1970.
1971 saw no major releases.
In 1972, Dara Singh starred with Prithviraj Kapoor in Mele Mitran De. In 1973, Man Jeete Jag Jeet, a religious film starring Sunil Dutt, Radha Saluja and Ranjeet released.
In 1974, Do Sher, Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (Dara Singh and Feroz Khan), Sacha Mera Roop Hai (Manmohan Krishan) and Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (Shaminder Singh and Radha Saluja) were released. The most successful was Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam, due to the wide appeal of its religious historical setting and appearances by prominent Bollywood actors.
Teri Meri Ik Jindri (1975) starred Dharmendra and introduced his cousin Veerendra.
Many films were released in 1976: Daaj, Giddha, Main Papi Tum Bakhshanhaar, Papi Tarey Anek, Santo Banto, Sardar-E-Azam, Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun, Taakra, and Yamla Jatt. Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun was the biggest hit and starred Dara Singh in the main lead; Rajesh Khanna made a special appearance as the Qawal. The film ran into conflict with the Sikh political parties as the film had Fauj-i-Khas soldiers wearing fake beards.
1977 was not a major year for the Punjabi film industry. Jai Mata Di, Saal Solvan Chadya, Sat Sri Akal, and Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha were released, amongst others. Saal Solvan Chadya was a highlight because of the cameo appearance by Rekha. Sat Sri Akal was another hit film. It starred Sunil Dutt, Shatrughan Sinha, and Premnath.
In 1978, Udeekan, Dhyani Bhagat, Jai Mata Sheranwali, and Jindri Yar Di were released. The drama Udeekan was a hit. Walayati Babu, the first ever remake in Punjabi cinema, was released in 1978. The film was remade from the Punjabi film of the same name by Johnny Walker; it featured a special appearance by Amitabh Bachchan and Mehar Mittal played the main lead.
1979 was a big year: Guru Manio Granth, Jatt Punjabi, Kunwara Mama, Sukhi Pariwar, and Til Til Dalekha were released. The religious film Guru Manio Granth was an instant hit. Jatt Punjabi had a big cast and a special appearance by Manoj Kumar. Til Til Da Lekha starred Rajesh Khanna as the main lead hero and Mehar Mittal played the comedian's role; the film became a golden jubilee hit at the box office. Til Til Dalekha was the second Punjabi movie of Rajesh Khanna and his first film as the lead hero in Punjabi films. It won the Punjab State Government award for best story writer and second best feature film of 1979. The first Punjabi mystery film, Vangaar (The Challenge), was released but it failed to become a hit.
1980s In 1980, Chann Pardesi, the first Punjabi film to win the national award, was released. Fauji Chacha had veteran Bollywood actor Sanjeev Kumar in the lead.
1981 had only one hit: Balbiro Bhabhi. This film had Veerendra in the lead role.
Two major releases of 1982 were Jatt Da Gandasa and Sarpanch which starred Veerendra.
In 1983, many movies were released, with Putt Jattan De being the biggest commercially.
Veerendra had another hit in 1984 with the film Yaari Jatt Di. This was the first Punjabi film to have more than half its footage shot in the United Kingdom. Mamla Garbar Hai was a hit for actor Gurdas Mann. The film's songs were especially loved.
Two hit films of 1985 were Mohammad Sadiq's Guddo and Veerendra's Vairi. Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da, was a religious film that established Gurdas Mann as a star.. Long Da Lishkara was the big hit of 1986, starring Raj Babbar, Gurdas Mann, Om Puri, and Nina Deol.
In 1987, Veerendra starred in Patola and Jor Jatt Da. Punjab was shaken with the assassination of Veerendra by gunshot during the filming of Jatt Tey Zameen. The death opened the door for supporting actors including Guggu Gill and Yograj Singh to take leading roles.
1988 had Patola as a major release.
In 1989, the critically acclaimed Marhi Da Deeva released.
1990s In 1990, Qurbani Jatt Di was released, directed by Preeti Sapru, and did well at the box office. Another important release was Dushmani Di Agg, the last film of Veerendra.
In 1991, the major film Anakh Jattan Di starred Daljeet Kaur and Guggu Gill. It was the first movie where the audience really accepted ex-villain Guggu Gill as a hero. The film was followed by films like Jor Jatt Da, which managed to recover its cost. Badla Jatti Da was the major success of the year. It starred Guggu Gill, Yograj Singh in a villain role, and Aman Noorie. Udeekan Saun Diyan garnered critical acclaim, but was not a commercial success. Sounh Menoo Punjab Di, starring Satish Kaul, Rama Vij, Mehar Mittal, and Pal Randhawa released. The film was directed by Sukhdev Ahluwalia, one of the most successful directors of Punjwood, and had music by Surinder Kohli. Vaisakhi, starring Deep Dhillon and Sunita Dheer, was released in 1991 to critical acclaim, but did not succeed commercially. Jatt Jeona Morh was a major hit that year, and made Guggu Gill a superstar. Also released was Yograj Singh's Jagga Daku (1991), which did moderately well. Dil Da Mamla, starring Guggu Gill and Amar Noori, did poorly at the box office.
1993 had films like Jatt Sucha Singh Soorma (with Yograj Singh and Neena Sidhu), Mirza Sahiban (starring Guggu Gill), Lalkara Jatt Da, and Saali Adhi Gharwali. These films managed to do adequately at the box office, but were not major successes. Preeti Sapru's Mehndi Shagnan Di, starring Malkit Singh, Hansraj Hans, Preeti Sapru, and Yograj Singh, lost money. Kudi Canada Di starring Yograj Singh also did poorly.
Kachehri (1994) starred Gurdas Mann, Yograj Singh, and others. The film was praised by critics, was a commercial success, and won a national award. A second release was Tabahi, starring newcomer Vishal Singh; it was the blockbuster hit of the year. Guggu Gill's Vairi did quite well at the box office, but Jigra Jatt Da, with Yograj Singh as the villain, did poorly at the box office.