The Padma Shri, also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is conferred in recognition of "distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service and public affairs". It is awarded by the Government of India every year on India's Republic Day.
Surinder Kaur was an Indian singer and songwriter. While she mainly sang Punjabi folk songs, where she is credited for pioneering and popularising the genre, Kaur also recorded songs as a playback singer for Hindi films between 1948 and 1952. For her contributions to Punjabi music, she earned the sobriquet Nightingale of Punjab, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1984, and the Padma Shri in 2006.
Surjit Patar. He was an Indian Punjabi language writer and poet from Punjab. His poems enjoy immense popularity with the general public and have won high acclaim from critics.
Harpal Singh Tiwana was an Indian playwright and film and theatre director known for his Punjabi-language plays and films.
Dalip Kaur Tiwana was one of the foremost novelists and short-story writers of contemporary Punjabi literature. She won awards, both regional and national, and was a widely translated author. She retired as Professor of Punjabi, and Dean, from Punjabi University, Patiala. She is widely credited as a tour-de-force in the creation of the contemporary literature in the Punjabi language.
Long Da Lishkara is an Indian Punjabi movie released in 1983 directed and produced by Harpal Tiwana.
Sonampreet Bajwa, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Punjabi films. One of the highest paid actress of Punjabi cinema, Bajwa is a recipient of two PTC Punjabi Film Awards along with nominations for four Filmfare Awards Punjabi.
Sheila Bhatia (1916-2008) was an Indian poet, playwright, theatre personality and the founder of the Delhi Art Theatre, a forum based in Delhi for the promotion of Indian art forms. She is credited with originating Punjabi opera, an Indian form of dance drama incorporating operatic movements. She was honoured by the Government of India in 1971 with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award. A decade later, she received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for theatre direction in 1982 followed by Kalidas Samman in 1997.
Wamiqa Gabbi is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Punjabi and Hindi films and series. She made her screen debut as a child with a brief role in the Hindi film Jab We Met (2007). She subsequently had success as the leading lady in the Punjabi films Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22 (2013), Nikka Zaildar 2 (2017) and its sequel Nikka Zaildar 3 (2019), and Kali Jotta (2023).
Amninderpal Singh Virk, better known as Ammy Virk, is an Indian singer, actor and producer associated with Punjabi Music and subsequently in Punjabi and Hindi films. He started the production house Villagers Film Studio and a distribution company In House Group. He is best known for playing the role of Nikka in Nikka Zaildar series, Shivjit in Qismat & Qismat 2, Harjeet Singh in Harjeeta, and Haakam in Angrej.
Pushpa Hans Kapoor (1917–2011) was an Indian playback singer and actor of the Hindi and Punjabi film industries in the 1940s and 1950s. She was known for her songs in the 1950 Hindi film, Sheesh Mahal and her acting in the 1949 film Apna Desh. She was a recipient of the fourth highest Indian civilian award of the Padma Shri.
Nikka Zaildar is a 2016 Punjabi romantic comedy film directed by Simerjit Singh, written by Jagdeep Sidhu, and starring Ammy Virk and Sonam Bajwa as the main lead roles and was released worldwide on 30 September 2016. It follows college student Nikka, who, while studying at Patiala College, falls in love with Manraj.
Diljott is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Hindi and Punjabi films. Her recently released Hindi Film 'Krispy Rishtey' as a lead actress on Jio Cinemas has gained her lot of admiration and acclaim for her acting performance. She has added elegance and grace in the latest Hindi ghazal project 'Jab Bhi Kisi Nigah Ne', music by talented musicians Sajid Wajid, sung by Padma Shri Mohammad Hussain and Padma Shri Ahmed Hussain. She won attention for her lead roles in films like Khatre Da Ghuggu, Teshan, Yaar Annmulle 2, and 5 Weddings, Rang Ratta and songs 'Matwaliye', 'Patiala Peg', 'Diamond Koka', 'Pehli Mulaqat', 'Dard Ishq Hai', 'Will Forget','Wang Golden'. Her released singles include "Just Love You", “Tere Rang”, Akh Mataka" and "Maa Meri."
Nikka Zaildar 2 is a 2017 Punjabi romantic comedy film directed by Simerjit Singh, written by Jagdeep Sidhu and starring Ammy Virk, Sonam Bajwa, and Wamiqa Gabbi as the main lead roles and the film was released worldwide on 22 September 2017. It is the second installment of Nikka Zaildar and is not a sequel to 2016 film Nikka Zaildar.
Nikka Zaildar 3 is a 2019 Indian Punjabi-language romantic-comedy film directed by Simerjit Singh from a screenplay co-written by Jagdeep Sidhu and Gurpreet Singh Palheri. The film is third instalment of Nikka Zaildar film series. Co-produced by Viacom18 Studios and Patiala Motion Pictures, it stars Ammy Virk, Wamiqa Gabbi, Sonia Kour, and Nirmal Rishi in lead roles. The film chronicles the story of Nikka whose father's soul enters his body following his death. It also stars Sardar Sohi, Hardeep Gill, Baninder Bunny, Gurmeet Saajan, and Jagdeep Randhawa in supporting roles. The film was released on 20 September 2019.The film received negative reviews from critics.
Nisha Singh, known professionally as Nisha Bano, is an Indian actress and singer who works in the Punjabi entertainment industry. She started her Punjabi film career with Jatt Airways and her Hindi film debut with Amar Singh Chamkila.
Sher Bagga is a 2022 Indian Punjabi-language, comedy-drama film directed by Jagdeep Sidhu under the banner of Ammy Virk Productions. The film is produced by Ammy Virk and Daljeet Thind. The film stars Ammy Virk, Sonam Bajwa and Nirmal Rishi in the lead roles. The film was released worldwide in cinemas on 24 June 2022.
Anita Devgan is an Indian film and television actress, who is known for her work in the Punjabi film industry. Her most well-known works are the films Jatt & Juliet, Ronde Sare Vyah Picho, Angrej, Bambukat, Rabb Da Radio, Golak Bugni Bank Te Batua, Mr. & Mrs. 420 Returns, Puaada, and Ni Main Sass Kuttni.
