7 Hit Punjabi Movies May 2026
When discussing 7 hit Punjabi movies, you cannot start anywhere else but with the Carry On Jatta franchise. The third installment, starring the legendary Gippy Grewal and the always-hilarious Binnu Dhillon, broke every box office record in existence upon its release.
Why it is a hit: The film relies on a classic confusion trope involving mistaken identities and marriage frauds. While the premise is simple, the execution is impeccable. The chemistry between the leads, combined with a script that delivers a punchline every thirty seconds, makes this a perennial favorite.
Box Office Verdict: It became the highest-grossing Punjabi film of all time, proving that a good family comedy transcends borders.
The word "Jatt" (the dominant agricultural caste in Punjab) has been a staple of Punjabi film titles for decades, usually signifying a macho, rural hero wielding a sickle or a tractor. Director Anurag Singh took this exhausted archetype and turned it on its head with this romantic comedy starring Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa.
Why it matters: Jatt & Juliet was a thoroughly modern film. The male lead was a village boy with swagger but no toxic masculinity; the female lead was an ambitious, independent woman living in England who had no patience for his rustic
In recent times, Diljit Dosanjh starred in Honsla Rakh, a film about a single father raising his son in Canada while navigating a new relationship with a pregnant woman (Sonam Bajwa). The film tackled taboo topics like divorce and parenthood with sensitivity and humor. 7 hit punjabi movies
Why it was a hit:
It was the first post-pandemic Punjabi film to pack cinema halls. Audiences loved the mature storyline, and the child actor (played by Diljit’s real-life son’s voice) stole the show. The film earned over ₹50 crore worldwide on a modest budget.
Text line 1: 7 Punjabi movies that are massive hits
Text line 2: 1. Carry On Jatta (2012)
Text line 3: 2. Jatt & Juliet (2012)
Text line 4: 3. Sardar Udham (2021)
Text line 5: 4. Qismat (2018)
Text line 6: 5. Mauri (2019)
Text line 7: 6. Honsla Rakh (2021)
Text line 8: 7. Chal Mera Putt (2019)
Text line 9: Which one’s your favourite?
Punjabi cinema, or Pollywood, has evolved from slapstick comedies into a global powerhouse featuring high-budget action and heartwarming dramas.
Here are 7 hit Punjabi movies that have significantly impacted the industry: Carry on Jatta 3
(2023): This film made history as the first Indian Punjabi film to enter the 100 Crore club , starring Gippy Grewal and Sonam Bajwa. It is the third installment in a massive comedy franchise known for its chaotic, laugh-out-loud humor. The Legend of Maula Jatt When discussing 7 hit Punjabi movies , you
(2022): A massive international success, this Pakistani Punjabi film became the first Punjabi film ever to cross ₹100 Crore. Starring Fawad Khan, it is a gritty, high-octane reboot of the 1979 cult classic. Jatt & Juliet
(2012): Often cited as the movie that redefined modern Punjabi cinema, this romantic comedy stars Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa. It set new box office records and remains one of the funniest Punjabi movies ever made. Sardaar Ji
(2015): Combining fantasy with comedy, this box office hit follows a ghosthunter (Diljit Dosanjh) who travels to England to catch a ghost in a haunted castle. It was a pioneer in bringing high-end VFX to the Punjabi industry. Kali Jotta
(2023): A departure from typical comedies, this highest-grossing drama explores sensitive social issues and mental health. Its emotional depth and strong performances by Satinder Sartaaj and Neeru Bajwa earned it critical acclaim. Chal Mera Putt
(2019): This film started a successful franchise focusing on the lives of illegal immigrants in the UK. It is notable for its unique collaboration between Indian and Pakistani Punjabi actors, blending humor with relatable struggles. Rabb Da Radio Punjabi cinema, or Pollywood, has evolved from slapstick
(2017): A nostalgic and soulful film set in the 1980s, it focuses on family values and traditional Punjab. It is consistently ranked among the most popular and highly-rated Punjabi movies for its storytelling and soundtrack.
No list of hit Punjabi movies is complete without Carry On Jatta. Directed by Smeep Kang and starring Gippy Grewal, Binnu Dhillon, and Gurpreet Ghuggi, this film is a masterclass in slapstick comedy. The plot revolves around a divorcé who pretends to be a widower to impress a potential bride’s family, leading to a chaotic web of lies.
Why it was a hit:
The film ran for over 50 weeks in some cinemas. Its dialogues became viral catchphrases, and it set the gold standard for Punjabi comedy for years to come. Even today, memes from Carry On Jatta dominate social media.
The "NRI (Non-Resident Indian) returning to the village" is a trope as old as Punjabi cinema itself. Usually, it results in a culture-clash comedy. Director Rajiv Dhingra subverted this with Love Punjab, turning the trope into a poignant exploration of cultural disconnect and childhood trauma.
Why it matters: The film tackles a modern epidemic: the alienation of second-generation Punjabi diaspora children from their roots. When a Canada-based couple realizes their son is depressed and disconnected, they trick him into visiting Punjab to "find a groom for his mother." What follows is a journey of healing. Love Punjab struck a massive chord with the global Punjabi diaspora, shifting the narrative from "look how funny our villages are" to "look at what we are losing by leaving them."