Waris Shah was an 18th-century Punjabi Sufi poet of the Chishti order, known popularly for his contribution to Punjabi literature. He is primarily known as the author of Heer Ranjha, one of the most popular tragic romances of the Punjab.
Juhi Chawla is an Indian actress. She established herself as one of the leading actresses of Hindi cinema from the late 1980s through the early 2000s. Recognised for her comic timing and vivacious on-screen persona, she is the recipient of several accolades, including two Filmfare Awards.
Divya Dutta is an Indian actress and model. She has appeared in Hindi and Punjabi cinema, in addition to Malayalam and English-language films. She has received many awards including a National Film Award, a Filmfare OTT Award and 2 IIFA Awards.
Gurdas Maan is an Indian playback singer, songwriter and actor mainly associated with Punjabi and Hindi language music and films. He gained national attention in 1980 with the song "Dil Da Mamla Hai". Since then, he had gone on to record over 34 albums and had written over 305 songs. In 2015 he performed on the song "Ki Banu Dunia Da" with Diljit Dosanjh in MTV Coke studio India that was aired in season 4 episode 5 on MTV India.
Mukesh Rishi is an Indian actor and film producer who works primarily in Hindi and Telugu films. He has also appeared in Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Marathi and Tamil films. He got his first break in Hindi in 1988 and has since, established himself as a leading character actor.
Punjabi cinema refers to the Punjabi-language film industry centered around the Indian state of Punjab, and based in Amritsar and Mohali.
Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh is a 1999 Indian Punjabi-language feature film based on the real-life love story of Boota Singh and Zainab, starring Gurdas Maan and Divya Dutta in the lead roles. The film is directed by Manoj Punj and produced by Manjeet Maan. Arun Bakshi, Gurkirtan and Chetana Das played supporting roles. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Punjabi at the 46th National Film Awards.
Sukhmani – Hope for Life is a 2010 Indian Punjabi-language film directed by Manjeet Maan and starring Gurdas Maan, Juhi Chawla, Divya Dutta and Bhagwant Mann. It was produced by Gurdas, Manjeet's husband, and their son Gurikk Maan. It has been made by the Maan's own production company - Sai Lok Sangeet, with screenplay by Irshad Kamil, music by Jaidev Kumar and lyrics written by Gurdas Maan. Music to the film was released on 6 January 2010 and includes vocals from Gurdas Maan, Shreya Ghoshal and for the first time ever in her career - Juhi Chawla has sung alongside Gurdas Maan in a duet for the song "Preeto " and "Nanhi Si Gudiya".
Manoj Punj was an Indian Punjabi film director. He directed the hits in Punjabi Cinema. After graduating with a degree in arts, and experiencing theater in Chandigarh, he assisted Prof. P. S. Nirola who made corporate and documentary films. He then shifted to Mumbai where he began his career as an assistant in various television and film projects. Few years later he started directing various kinds of TV programmes independently. This was followed by a series of hit Punjabi films. Manoj Punj died on 22 October 2006 due to a cardiac arrest in Mumbai, Maharashtra state of India at a young age of 36.
Jaidev Kumar is an Indian musician and producer, who was born in Delhi but who moved to Mumbai in 2000. He has been working in the Punjabi music industry since 1999. His first hit album was "Dil Le Gayi Kudi Gujrat Di". He is the son of music director K Panna Lal.
Des Hoyaa Pardes is a 2004 Indian Punjabi-language film, directed by Manoj Punj, starring Gurdas Maan, Juhi Chawla, Divya Dutta and Anup Soni. It won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Punjabi.
Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai is a 2002 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film produced by Manjeet Maan and directed by Manoj Punj. It stars Gurdas Maan, Tabu, Divya Dutta and Rajat Kapoor.
Sai Production Private Limited is an Indian film production house based in Mumbai, owned by singer-songwriter and actor, Gurdas Maan and his wife Manjeet Maan. The company began with TV software but, since 1998, has produced several award winning Punjabi-language films like Shaheed-E-Mohabbat Boota Singh, Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai, Des Hoyaa Pardes and Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris. Sai Creations and Sai Lok Sangeet are its sister concerns.
Simerjit Singh is an Indian film director and writer. He is best known for directing the Punjabi film Angrej.
Mandeep Benipal is an Indian film director. He made his directorial debut with movie Ekam - Son of Soil in 2010. Later he came up with the movie Sadda Haq (2013), Yoddha (2014) and Dakuan Da Munda.
Satwant Kaur is an Indian film and television actress who works in Punjabi and Hindi films. She started her career through Punjabi music videos, television soap operas and telefilms in the earlier days and ended up appearing in the films. She is known for her portrayals in movies like Ik Jind Ik Jaan (2006), Singh Is Kinng (2008), Majaajan (2008), Ardaas (2016), Dev D (2009), Udta Punjab (2016), TV Serial Kach Diyan Wanga and Gurdas Maan's video song Pind Dian Galian etc., along with many others.
