| Welcome To Punjab | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ravinder Peepat |
| Produced by | Divya Seengal, Kanad Kashyap, Bari Kang, Gurpal Singh Jhandi, S. Sekhon (Line Producer, Canada), Asit Kaul (Line Producer, Canada) |
| Written by | Baldev Gill |
| Starring | Sarbjit Cheema, Saumya Tandon, Ranjeet, Sudesh Lahiri |
| Music by | Aman Hayer, Anand Raj Anand Sukshinder Shinda |
| Running time | 150 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Punjabi |
Welcome To Punjab is being directed by National Award Winner Ravinder Peepat (“Chan Pardesi”, “Kacheri”). Leading the international cast is Canadian singer and actor Sarbjit Cheema (“Apni Boli Apna Des”) as Sukhchain, the next door Punjabi munda who is in love with Saumya Tandon (“Dance India Dance – TV Show”), as Preet, a culturally oblivious NRI. Bollywood Legend Ranjeet (“Welcome”, “Sharaabi”, “Laawaris”, “Namak Halal”) as Harnam Singh, takes on the role of the grandfather of Saumya Tandon. Sudesh Lehri, the comedy king (TV shows - “Comedy Circus”, “The Great Indian Laughter Challenge”) plays the role of Hero Singh, a close friend of Sarbjit Cheema. Rounding out the cast is Shavinder Mahal and Dolly Minhas as NRI parents of Saumya Tandon, settled in Toronto, Canada; Vijay Kashyap and Sunita Dhir and the Uncle and Aunt of Sarbjit Cheema; Neelu Kohli and Malkeet Rauni as Aunt and Uncle of Saumya Tandon, son and daughter-in-law of Harnam Singh; and Ramna Wadhawan as the wife of Harnam Singh.
The story and dialogues of the film are by Baldev Gill (“Jag Jeondeyan De Mele”). The film is produced by Divya Seengal, Kanad Kashyap, Bari Kang and Gurpal Singh Jhandi. The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography W.B.Rao (“Rangeela”, “Khuda Gawah”); art director Gappa Chakraborty (“Zakhm”, “Raaz”); composer Aman Hayer (“UK based bhangra composer”) and Anand Raj Anand (“Indian music composer,” “Welcome”, “Masti: Sanam Teri Kasam”) and choreographer Bhupi.[1]
Contents |
Welcome to Punjab is the story of Preet, an NRI settled in Canada, who has lost her Punjabi heritage and values to the western culture and lifestyle. The film follows Preet’s soulful journey in the land of the five rivers where she is not only greeted by people who shower her with love and affection but she also experiences one of the most colorful cultures in the world, that of Punjab. She ends her journey by visiting the four revered Gurudwaras, Anandpur Sahib, Guru Ka Lahore, Manikaran Sahib and The Golden Temple
Will the soulful Gurbani, the magnificence and history of these wonders give a new meaning to her life. Will her family’s wishes and prayers for Preet to embrace her land, people and values be fulfilled? Or will this just become a memory of a trip to Punjab for Canadian Preet? Preet’s Punjab experience has bought her to a crossroads in her life, which path will she choose?
| Actor/Actress | Role |
|---|---|
| Sarbjit Cheema | Sukhchain |
| Saumya Tandon | Preet |
| Ranjeet | Harnam Singh |
| Sudesh Lahiri | Hero Singh |
| Shavinder Mahal | Gurkeerat |
| Dolly Minhas | Kulwant |
| Vijay Kashyap | Nihaal Singh |
| Sunita Dhir | Deepo |
| Neelu Kohli | Kuldeep |
| Malkeet Rauni | Gurmail |
| Ramna Wadhawan | Harnam Singh's wife |
| Preet Madan | Salma |
| Amrit Pal Singh | Sucha Singh |
Shooting of the film began in November 2009. The film has been shot in Toronto (Canada), the interiors of Punjab, Kulu Manali, on the banks of river Vyas, Pinjor Garden and Mumbai.[2] The film also features the four revered Gurudwaras, Golden Temple, Anandpur Sahib, Guru Ka Lahore and Manikaran Sahib together. The Gurudwaras are being featured together after many years in a Punjabi film. The shooting of the film completed in May 2010, and went straight into post production.
The soundtrack of the film have been composed by the music director Aman Hayer and Sukshinder Shinda, UK based Punjabi Composer and Anand Raj Anand, famous Bollywood Composer making his debut in the Punjabi Music Industry, while the lyrics have been penned by Kumaar, Sarbjit Cheema, Anand Raj Anand, Inda Rai Koti, Mohan Singh Preet & Bhupinder Matorwala , Jandhu Lithranwala Jitt Salalewala and Prit Silon. The album contains six original songs and one wedding compilation.
| No. | Track | Singers | Lyricist | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Kachcha Veda | Anand Raj Anand | Kumaar | 5:45 |
| 02 | Saturday Night | Suzanne | Anand Raj Anand | 6:02 |
| 03 | Ghida | Sarbjit Cheema | Sarbjit Cheema | 5:05 |
| 04 | Punjabi Kehende Aa | Sarbjit Cheema | Inda Rai Koti | 4:57 |
| 05 | Dil Mere Jatt | Sarbjit Cheema and Sukshinder Shinda | Jitt Salalewala Sarbjit Cheema | 5:11 |
| 06 | Boli Utte Boli | Sarbjit Cheema | Sarbjit Cheema | 5:55 |
| 07 | Wedding Compilation | Ishmeet, Amrita, Harinder Hundal, Pushpinder, Neetu Bhalla | Mohan Singh Preet, Bhupinder Matorwala | 7:23 |
| 08 | Yaariyaan | Sarbjit Cheema , Labh Janjua , Amrinder Gill , Jazzy B and Nachhatar Gill | Anand Raj Anand | 5:33 |
| 09 | Ki Kehne (Intro) | Sukshinder Shinda | Prit Silon & Jandhu Lithranwala | 1:09 |
| 10 | Ki Kehne | Sukshinder Shinda | Prit Silon & Jandhu Lithranwala | 5:42 |