Fourth `Punjabi Film Festival` concludes in Amritsar

Amritsar: Amritsar recently hosted the fourth `Punjabi Film Festival` that was attended by eminent Punjabi artists, who used this as an opportunity to promote Punjabi films.

An idea, which was conceived about four year ago, has now evolved into a major platform to encourage Punjabi films. Their aim was to promote the Punjabi language and culture through films that have received good reviews both in India and abroad. Punjabi artists were rewarded for their good work in this well-organized Punjabi film festival. The legendary comedian Maher Mittal was awarded with the "Prithvi Raj Kapoor Award". Nita Mohindra, Aman Dhaiwal, Lakhwinder Wadali were awarded for their great contribution to the promotion of Punjabi. "We have become veterans now, but the new generation of artists is really good," said Maher Mittal. Punjabi film industry is witnessing a tremendous change for quite some time. Since the Punjabi film producers today know that they have a large non-resident Indian (NRI) audience and a global market for their movies. A trend for high-budget films has also emerged in the recent times with flicks like `Jee anyan nu`, `Mail kara deh rabba` and `Assan nu mann vatna dah` topping the charts. Punjabis artists have done exceptionally well in bollywood. Mohammad Rafi, Sukhwinder Singh, Dharmendra and Dara Singh, who are from Punjab, were on the top in Mumbai. "The day is not far when Punjabi film industry will reach the level of Bollywood," said Punjabi singer and actor, Lakhwinder Wadali. Legend Punjabi folk singer Gurmeet Bawa, eminent Punjabi singers Harbhajan Mann, Sarbjit Cheema, Malkiat Singh and Comedian Bhagwant Mann were amongst those who performed at the festival. IANS