Sun Feb 22 05:33:10 UTC 2026: ### Punjabi Cinema’s Golden Era: Sargun Mehta Reflects on a Decade of Growth and Future Risks
The Story:
Over the past decade, the Punjabi film industry has experienced substantial growth, marked by increased output, larger budgets, and significant box-office success. Sargun Mehta, a prominent actor and producer, recently discussed this evolution, highlighting the breakthrough success of Gippy Grewal’s 2012 film Carry On Jatta, which was the first Punjabi film to surpass Rs 100 crore. Mehta expressed pride in the industry’s achievements, particularly those of Diljit Dosanjh and Grewal, while also emphasizing the need for more risk-taking in the face of reliance on established formulas.
Key Points:
* Gippy Grewal’s 2012 film Carry On Jatta was the first Punjabi film to cross the Rs 100 crore mark.
* Sargun Mehta’s first Punjabi film was released in August 2015 and was a blockbuster.
* The Punjabi film industry has grown from producing 7-10 films a year to 70-80 films a year.
* Film budgets now range from Rs 6-7 crore to Rs 25-30 crore.
* Mehta advocates for greater risk-taking in the industry, moving away from reliance on proven formulas.
* Diljit Dosanjh’s success is seen as beneficial for the entire Punjabi film industry.
Key Takeaways:
* The Punjabi film industry has experienced exponential growth in the last decade.
* The industry is currently at a crossroads, needing to balance commercial success with creative risk-taking.
* Individual successes, like those of Gippy Grewal and Diljit Dosanjh, elevate the entire industry’s profile.
* Sargun Mehta’s perspective highlights the industry’s awareness of its current state and the need for strategic evolution.
First Piper 