Punjabi film industry has plenty of good quality work and great opportunities for female leads in present times. It has been made possible because of the efforts of actresses of good old days who worked hard to create a productive environment for the actresses in future. We have a trio of the old actresses who made Punjabi industry reach to greater heights.
Let us tell you about these lost actresses who have taken a break from Punjabi film industry.
Priti Sapru
Preeti Sapru was born on 24 December 1962 in Mumbai into a Kashmiri Family. Exemplifying a popular saying ‘Unity In Diversity’, she landed up in Punjabi film industry in spite of having connections from Maratha and Kashmiri culture. Started at the age of thirteen with a film named as ‘Habari’, she later got the opportunity to step into Pollywood.
She entered Punjabi film industry, conquered it and ruled it for a long time. She was seen in big Punjabi films like ‘Nimmo’, ‘Yaari Jat Di’, ‘Kurbaani Jat Di’ etc. She has worked with top stars of Pollywood namely Raj Babbar, Virendra, Gurdaas Maan and others. She is a recipient of ‘Mahila Shiromani’ in 1998 for her contributions to Punjabi cinema.
She isn’t active in films these days but is definitely active in social works as she is associated with several NGOs.
Manjeet Kullar
Hans Raj Hans sung ‘Nachhi Jo Sadde Naal’ fame Manjeet Kullar was a popular face of Punjabi cinema in 80s and 90s. Born in Mumbai, her first ever film was Hindi film ‘Soochna’ opposite Mithun Chakraborty. Sadly, after a few days, the project was closed and the film could never release.
After struggling, it was through a horror film ‘Band darwaza’, she gained popularity. Her entry to Pollywood happened through a song ‘Jugni’ which was played on Doordarshan. Punjabi audience loved her and were ready to welcome her in Punjab with open hearts. Through this song, she got a golden opportunity to act in the film ‘Jatt Jeona Morh’ opposite super star Gugu Gil. ‘Mirza Jatt’, ‘Vairi’, ‘Bagawat’, ‘Jaildaar’, ‘Main Maa Punjab di’ etc. are her popular films of Pollywood.
She bid a good bye to her filmy career after becoming a mother.
Daljeet Kaur
Known as Hema Malini of Pollywood, Daljeet Kaur has given silver jubilee films to the cinema. She was born in Siliguri, West Bengal as her family had migrated to Bengal for transport business. Her ancestral roots are from a village in the district of Ludhiana.
Having spark of an actress, she chose to opt Pune’s Television Institute against wish of her parents. She was sent to Delhi for B.A Honours but her friendship with girls from theatre background made her fall for an artistic career choice. Her first Punjabi film was with Dheeraj Kumar in 1976 with the name of ‘Daaj’. ‘Jatt Da Gandasa’,’ Mamla Gadbad Hai’, ‘Kabristan’ and Ki Banoo Duniya Da’ are few of her notable films. As of now, she has kept a distance from movies.
After death of her husband in a car accident, she never returned on screen with same spark and enthusiasm. She did small notable roles but could not come back with similar zeal.
We all know old is gold. Here we came forward to remind you of the golden female stars who have gone missing these days. We wish to see them on screens all over again. Let us keep the hopes high!