Punjabi Tadka in Bollywood

For a colorful country like India, it only makes sense that our Bollywood film makers would want to incorporate various shades of the country in their movies. And amongst the mass of colors, the Punjabi tadka remains the most dominating. Be it characters, locations or even words popping up in songs, Punjab has truly made its way into mainstream Bollywood cinema. BollyCurry gives various examples of how the tadka of Punjab has spiced up Bollywood.



Overtime, the trend of including a Punjabi track in movie soundtracks has increased. The movie can be of any genre, some spice of either Punjabi dhols or lyrics manages to worm their way in and suit the emotions of the movie perfectly. The words like 'soni', 'kudi', 'makhna' seem to have become part of common vocabulary for lyricists. And some songs include words which are mostly unknown to the non-Punjabi speaking audience. The most recent example of this is the chart topping song, "Tooh" from the upcoming November flick, Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. For those who still don't know what the song is about, it's all about shaking that booty. Not just in a more commercial sense, Punjabi Sufi songs have also been included in soundtracks and have become chartbusters. The Punjabi sufi song, "Jugni", sung by Pakistani singer Arif Lohar, was included in the Saif Ali Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer Cocktail (2011). In the same year, Yash Chopra's last directorial venture Jab Tak Hai Jaan also had a similar sing with traces of Punjabi sufism - "Challa".

Not just Punjabi lyrics, but also completely Punjabi flavored songs seem to be doing really well! Such songs not only offer the common bhangra beats suited for weddings or dance parties, but the romance dripping from the words which originated in the land of Heer-Ranjha, Soni-Mahiwal always stir the heartstrings as well. Songs like "Paani Da Rang", "Saadi Gali Aaja", "Ambarsariya" had purely Punjabi lyrics and still managed to be quite popular. And of course, the more feet tapping numbers are always in demand! "Mauja Hi Mauja", "Angrezi Beat" and more recently, "Punjabian Di Battery", are just a few examples of Punjabi songs that ruled the charts!

It's no secret that when it comes to selecting beautiful locales, most of our filmmakers tend to opt for foreign locations like Swiss Alps or they go for the valleys of Kashmir. But now, that trend has started to change. It all started with Veer Zaara in 2005, when director Yash Chopra chose to go to Punjab to showcase the beauty of India. The song shot in the fields of Punjab with Shah Rukh Khan singing about the beauty of his country to Preity Zinta is a sure treat to watch. The golden fields, the lush green spaces, the vibrant way of living and the heritage sights of the area are being seen more and more in the movies. Movies like Mausam, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Son of Sardaar and the recent blockbuster Bhaag Milkha Bhaag have been shot around various locations in Punjab like Chandigarh and Patiala.

The Kareena Kapoor-Shahid Kapoor starrer hit movie Jab We Met had a scene where the two actors sit on a tractor which stands in the middle of a huge golden field. That shot truly represents the true essence of Punjab, with the hard work of all the diligent farmers displayed as the fruits of their labor swing in the summer wind. The Rani Mukherjee-Shahid Kapoor starrer Dil Bole Haddipa also had a song sequence which portrayed the lifestyle of the local Punjabi people and the locales of that beautiful area. It is truly said, one doesn't need to step far away from home to experience Heaven.

Surely the most memorable dialogue of the movie Jab We Met said by the energetic and zealous Geet (Kareena Kapoor). Since many years, Punjabi characters have  been a major part of Bollywood. Their energy, their quirks and their traits have been long captured on the film reel by our movie makers. From Dharmendra singing, "Main Jatt Yamla Pagla Deewana" to Dharmendra actually playing a yamla pagla deewana Punjabi alongside his two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, in the movie titled after the song, Bollywood has portrayed Punjabis in numerous essences. Be it Amresh Puri playing the role of a Punjabi living in the foreign lands of London and missing the air of his homeland in the blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, or Sanjay Dutt acting like a thirsty for revenge yet amiable host in Son of Sardaar, Punjabis of all shades and sizes are found here.

Not only are the Punjabis living in Punjab shown in the movies, but traits of Punjabis living outside of Punjab have also been tastefully portrayed. Films like Vicky Donor, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Khosla ka Ghosla have shown Punjabi characters living in a completely Punjabi style in cities outside of Punjab. Not just in India, Punjabi people seem to take their culture wherever they go. Singh is Kinng, Kal Ho Na Ho and Patiala House are among many other movies that show the elders trying to make sure that their culture doesn't get diminished in the land of foreigners. 

Author: Mais B.
Editor(s): Saraa K. and Gunia M.
Graphics: Marsh P.