Is this the right choice baby?

Jasmine Singh

Pretty often, when asked about the top actors of the Punjabi film industry, the names are quick to arrive. However, the same doesn’t hold true for Punjabi actresses. After Neeru Bajwa, the search comes to a halt.

But in this search, we get to meet many beautiful names that have dropped down from Bollywood. Many known faces from the tinsel town have come down for a ‘lights, camera and action’ experience in Punjabi cinema. Neha Dhupia, Zarine Khan, Sargun Mehta, Minisha Lamba, Sagarika Ghatge, Poonam Dhillon, Gauhar Khan, Aditi Sharma, Lauren Gottlieb and the fresh entrant Pooja Batra to name a few.

How successful they have been, we thought of turning the camera to that.

She is accepted

Lauren Gottlieb  

Debut: Ambarsariya opposite Diljit Dosanjh in 2016.

Box office result: The film fared considerably well at the box office.

Later: We haven’t heard of her signing another Punjabi film yet, though she says, “I am so glad that the Punjabi audiences accepted me, I would love to do another Punjabi film, given a chance.”

Who is she?

Sagarika Ghatge

Debut: Dildaariyan opposite Jassi Gill in 2015.

Box office result: The film did a below average business.

Later: Sagarika has not been seen in any project after that.

Disappearing act

Neha Dhupia

Debut: Rangeelay opposite Jimmy Shergill in 2013.

Box office result: The film bombed totally.

Later: Neha has not been seen in any Punjabi film after that.

Hit and miss

Zarine Khan

Debut: Jatt James Bond opposite Gippy Grewal in 2014.

Box office result: The film was declared a hit of the year.

Later: Zareen Khan hasn’t signed any Punjabi film after this one.

Steady graph

Sargun Mehta

Debut: Angrej opposite Amrinder Gill in 2015

Box office result: The film ran houseful for four weeks after its release, a super hit of Punjabi cinema

Later: Sargun signed her next film Love Punjab opposite Amrinder Gill. The film has again done a considerably good business.

Yaara, she failed

Gauhar Khan

Debut: Oh Yaara Avain Avain Lut gaya.

Box office result: The film did not do well at all.

Later: She hasn’t been seen in any Punjabi film.

Killer instinct

Pooja Batra

Bollywood actress Pooja Batra who has given a number of hits like Virasat, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Jodi No. 1 makes her debut with Punjabi romantic action movie Killer Punjabi, releasing worldwide on May 13. 

The movie has been produced by Ludhiana born NRI Kailey Rav, now based in Canada, who also plays the lead role. While Pooja Batra who had started her career with Hindi movie, Virasat, makes a comeback, she is also the co-producer of the movie. Pooja has also recently bagged a prominent role in an upcoming Hollywood flick titled One Under The Sun. 

Shares Pooja Batra, Killer Punjabi has been an amazing experience for me as I am making my foray into the Punjabi film industry. It's an edge-of-your-seat mystery thriller and I am excited to be a part of it." Pooja plays the role of a nurse who unknowingly falls in love with a professional killer. 

A right decision? 

Mere dada Punjabi hai!

“Firstly, I totally believe in casting local talent in a Punjabi film. Secondly, most of the actresses, who come from Bollywood, are mostly satisfied with their work there. So, they don’t have the urge to do great in Punjabi cinema, which is probably why they become one-film-wonder. Also, they give such vague reasons for picking a Punjabi film—something like my mummy is a Punjabi, my dada is Punjabi, my masi is from Punjab! —Director Navaniat Singh

An actress is an actress...

Whether she is coming from Bollywood or Tollywood. A director will always cast the actor or actresses depending on their compatibility with the role. However, in the end, sometimes the audience of Punjab accept a certain face and sometimes not! — Director Rohit Jugraj