Portrayal of Punjabi Culture in Bollywood Movies on India’s Independence and Partition (1947 to Present)

Abstract

The research paper examines the portrayal of Punjabi culture and its elements in Hindi cinema that are set on the themes of India’s Independence and 1947 Partition. The division of Punjab during Partition had a profound impact on the region, dividing not only the land of the five rivers but also its people, heritage, legacy, and cultural traditions. Bollywood movies have beautifully revisited and recaptured the historic stories, portraying not only the anguish of separation and displacement but also the beauty of Punjabi culture and people’s strength. This study focuses on five films—Shaheed (1965), Train to Pakistan (1998), 1947: Earth (1998), Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), and Pinjar (2003)—as key cinematic displays. It analyzes how each of these films depicts Punjabi customs, everyday life, festivals, clothing, cuisine, music, language, and performance traditions. The paper highlights the incorporation of Punjabi folk elements—such as bhangra and giddha, seasonal celebrations like Lohri and Baisakhi, traditional garments including turbans and phulkari embroidery, and staple foods like makki di roti, sarson da saag, and lassi. It also highlights the Punjabi language, the use of original dialogues in Punjabi, songs, and visual representation. The study reveals how these films authentically portray Punjabi culture and traditions, with a little bit of entertainment for Bollywood stylisation. Accordingly, it highlights how the films have conserved and preserved the purest of emotions, such as sacrifice, courage, martyrdom, joy, sorrow, loss, migration, displacement, and resettlement on screen. The movies provide viewers with a deeper understanding of Punjab’s history and culture by displaying both joy and grief. The paper concludes that Bollywood films set on the themes of India’s Independence and Partition have played a significant  role in safeguarding Punjabi culture and presenting it to the audiences.