Punjabi movies that have gone beyond comedy and conquered various other brackets

Whenever it comes to Punjabi cinema, the first genre that most people think of is- comedy. Though there’s no denial to the fact that Punjabi film industry has produced some really rib-tickling comedy films like 'Carry On Jatta', 'Jatt and Juliet series', 'Mr. & Mrs. 420' and so on, Pollywood also has been doing great in other genres. Punjabi Cinema has stepped in and conquered various other brackets too, and this short list of movies is a proof of the same.

If you think family drama is an ingredient found only in Bollywood’s kitchen, you really need to watch the movie 'Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da'. Starring the legendary Gurdas Maan in the lead, the movie is a full family drama entertainer. The story is about a family and the bond it shares. It’s a tale of two brothers, out of which one is adopted; however, that never made any difference until a girl enters to draw them apart. The movie was a blockbuster hit of its time and a must watch for drama lovers.

In case you are not a big fan of plain story and fall for twists and turns, Jimmy Sheirgill starrer 'Dharti' is the perfect pick for you. The movie is regarded as the first Punjabi political suspense thriller. The story revolves around the hunger for power and starts when the CM of Punjab gets hospitalized. The fight for the chair thus begins, which leads to the bloodshed of close ones. The climax of the movie reveals the real mastermind and leaves the audience in shock.

Plotting, jealousy, and action stand as the main ingredients of 'Rocky Mental'. Punjabi video director Parmish Verma marked his debut in acting with the movie as he plays in and as 'Rocky Mental'. The movie takes you around the story of an aspiring athlete whose success becomes his enemy. A man in power makes it his life’s agenda to destroy Rocky and thus traps him in a scandal. The story unfolds showing how Rocky finds out about the truth and finally hits his enemy really hard in the gut.

Revisiting the pages of history, recalling the time of insurgency in Punjab, the movie 'Punjab 1984' is one of the classics of Punjabi Cinema. Having Diljit Dosanjh in the lead, this story is of a mother and her lost son. Set in the backdrop of 1984, the period drama captures the beauty of Punjab’s bygone days, at the same time it records the day-to-day struggle the society faced because of the insurgency. The movie ends on a tragic note and thus can leave you in tears.

The name certainly reminds you of a popular Bollywood song, well the story will also serve the same purpose. Based on the formula of an ordinary guy falling for a high profile girl and then the family disagreeing, 'Channa Mereya' serves romance at it's best. It’s all about unconditional love and the lines one can cross for the love of his/her life. The movie beautifully captures how the couple stands strong despite the towering egos of families and disapproval of the society.

After 'Punjab 1984', 'Sajjan Singh Rangroot' is the second period drama with Diljit Dosanjh in the lead. The movie will hit the theatres on March 23, 2018. It’s the story of Sikh battalion posted on the front lines on a foreign land during World War I. The Indian soldiers were fighting for those who enslaved their own motherland; however, they still remained loyal to their duty. The movie is about the challenges the soldiers faced and the valor they showed while facing the enemies.

Subedar Joginder Singh Sahnan was one of India’s gems to receive the highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra. The movie is a biopic on the national hero. Having Gippy Grewal in and as 'Subedar Joginder Singh', the film is scheduled to release on April 6, 2018. Though Joginder Singh fought a lot of battles for his land, the movie records the time of Sino-Indian war 1962. It shows how Subedar managed to fight an army of thousands of Chinese with his battalion of 21 men.