Swinging from Pollywood to Bollywood!

This week, BollyCurry presents to you a few of those who dared to step up from the regional cinema in North India and journeyed towards the South to try their luck in the B-town. Regional cinema in the North majorly constitutes of the Punjabi film industry, also called Pollywood. Through the years, we have witnessed a lot of actors oscillate from Pollywood to Bollywood and vice-versa. Let's take a quick glance of the few noted names.

 

The charming actor started his acting career with Gulzar's critically acclaimed Maachis (1996). He went on to act in many notable movies such as Mohabbatein (2000), Dil Hai Tumhara (2002), Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002), Charas (2004), and Hum Tum (2004) among others, before finally turning towards the Punjabi cinema for recognition. Pollywood didn't disappoint Shergill when he earned overnight stardom with the success of the film Yaaran Nal Baharan in 2005. He went on to star in numerous movies amongst which Munde U.K De (2009), Mel Karade Rabba (2010), Dharti (2011) and Saadi Love Story (2013) were greatly appreciated. It was this adulation that got him to feature in few of the most distinguished movies of Bollywood like A Wednesday! (2008), My Name Is Khan (2010), Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (2011), Special 26 (2013) and others.

 

Next on the list we have the stunning actress Surveen Chawla. Chawla first appeared in the Punjabi movie Dharti in 2011 opposite Jimmy Shergill. She then starred in various other movies like Taur Mittran Di (2011), Saadi Love Story (2013), Singh vs Kaur (2013) and Lucky Di Unlucky Story (2013). She forayed towards Bollywood with the thriller film Ugly (2013) but she claimed recognition in the industry with her stint in the 2014 thriller Hate Story 2 opposite Jay Bhanushali.

 

The dashing debonair of the Punjabi film industry, Gavie Chahal is known for Punjabi movies like Yaaran Naal Baharan (2005), Mehndi Wale Hath (2006), Majajan (2008), Pinky Moge Wali (2012) and a few more. To his credit, he made his Bollywood debut with one of the most successful films of the year 2012, Ek Tha Tiger. He played a pivotal role in the movie and was appreciated by the audiences.

 

Many are unknown of the fact that Neeru Bajwa first made her Bollywood debut with Dev Anand's Main Solah Baras Ki in 1998. Her luck shone bright in Pollywood as she debuted opposite Harbhajan Mann in Asa Nu Maan Watna Da in 2004. Things looked up as Bajwa then featured in almost every Punjabi movie, the likes of which include Munde U.K. De (2009), Heer Ranjha (2009), Mel Karade Rabba (2010), Jihne Mera Dil Luteya (2011), Jatt & Juliet (2012), Pinky Moge Wali (2012), Jatt & Juliet 2 (2013), etc. She returned to Bollywood with the Indian science-fiction Prince (2010), Miley Naa Miley Hum (2011) and Special 26 (2013).

Mahie Gill made her acting debut with the Punjabi film Hawayein in 2003 opposite Babbu Mann. She played small roles in Bollywood until she finally garnered acknowledgment with Paro's role in Anurag Kashyap's drama Dev D (2009) opposite Abhay Deol. She has since then worked in many Hindi and Punjabi movies like Gulaal (2009), Aagey Se Right (2009), Dabangg (2010), Not A Love Story (2011), Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (2011), Paan Singh Tomar (2012), Zanjeer (2013), and Carry On Jatta 2 (2014), to name a few.

Son of the veteran actor Raj Babbar, Aarya Babbar started an acting career with Bollywood to no avail. He starred in Ab ke Baras (2002) opposite Amrita Rao but the movie didn't manage to garner much attention. He has been oscillating between Hindi and Punjabi movies, though the latter brought him more success. He has one some prominent movies such as Virsa (2010), Yaar Annmulle (2011) and Naughty Jatts (2013). He also has to his credit a few noted Hindi movies like Guru (2007), Tees Maar Khan (2010), Ready (2011) and Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013).

Writer: Pooja B.

Editors: Mohini N. and Sonia R.

Graphics: Shikha A.