The success of these seven films in 2022 highlighted a crucial trend: Punjabi audiences are now favoring content-driven cinema with high production values. Whether it was the nostalgia of Carry On Jatta 3, the swag of Moosa Jatt, or the comedy of Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne, Pollywood proved that it is a force to be reckoned with in the Indian film landscape. The year set a high benchmark for future releases, signaling a bright future for Punjabi cinema.
The year 2022 was a landmark year for Punjabi cinema (Pollywood), witnessing a blend of record-breaking comedies, intense historical dramas, and experimental storytelling. After a period of global uncertainty, the industry roared back to life with films that not only dominated the domestic box office in India but also made significant waves in international markets like Canada, Australia, and the UK.
Here are 7 hit Punjabi movies of 2022 that defined the year: 1. Saunkan Saunkne Genre: Romantic Comedy Key Cast: Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta, Nimrat Khaira
Box Office Success: Emerging as the highest-grossing Indian Punjabi film of the year, it earned approximately ₹57.60 crore worldwide.
Why it was a hit: This comedy of errors explored the hilariously complicated dynamics of a man caught between two quarreling wives who are also sisters. The chemistry between Ammy Virk and the leading ladies made it a must-watch family entertainer. 2. Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya Genre: Historical Drama Key Cast: Amrinder Gill, Binnu Dhillon, Sargun Mehta
Box Office Success: It grossed roughly ₹39.45 crore globally, securing its spot as a top performer.
Why it was a hit: Directed by Amrinder Gill, the film provided a poignant look at the hardships of early 20th-century Punjabi immigrants in Canada. Its high production value and emotional depth resonated deeply with the Punjabi diaspora. 3. Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne Genre: Comedy / Drama Key Cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Sargun Mehta
Box Office Success: A major commercial success, it collected nearly ₹32.11 crore at the worldwide box office.
Why it was a hit: Featuring the charismatic Diljit Dosanjh, the film blended humor with a heartwarming narrative about three friends attempting to get rich quick through a "unique" scheme. It performed exceptionally well in international markets. 4. Aaja Mexico Challiye Genre: Thriller / Drama Key Cast: Ammy Virk, Nasir Chinyoti
Box Office Success: It garnered approximately ₹23.72 crore worldwide.
Why it was a hit: Unlike standard comedies, this film took a gritty look at the "donkey route"—the dangerous illegal immigration path to the US via Mexico. Its relevant social message and Ammy Virk's powerful performance struck a chord with audiences. 5. Maa Genre: Emotional Drama Key Cast: Gippy Grewal, Divya Dutta, Gurpreet Ghuggi
Box Office Success: This tribute to motherhood grossed about ₹18.79 crore globally.
Why it was a hit: Released around Mother’s Day, the film's sentimental value and strong performances—particularly by Divya Dutta—made it a significant critical and commercial success. 6. Lekh Genre: Romantic Drama Key Cast: Gurnam Bhullar, Tania
Box Office Success: It earned a solid ₹10.17 crore worldwide.
Why it was a hit: Lekh was praised for its soulful music and its realistic portrayal of lost teenage love and adult reunions. It is widely considered one of the best-written romantic Punjabi films of the year. 7. The Legend of Maula Jatt Genre: Action / Epic Key Cast: Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi
Box Office Success: While a Pakistani production, this Punjabi-language epic became a global phenomenon, grossing a staggering ₹396 crore.
Why it was a hit: It became the first Punjabi film to cross the 100-crore mark. The film's intense action, grand scale, and the star power of its leads redefined the potential of Punjabi-language cinema on the global stage.
2022 was a landmark year for Punjabi cinema, often referred to as Pollywood, featuring a blend of high-energy comedies, intense historical dramas, and emotional romances. According to the List of Punjabi films of 2022 - Wikipedia, the industry saw major commercial successes that broke regional records. Top 7 Punjabi Hits of 2022
Based on critical acclaim and Highest grossing Punjabi movie box office collection - IMDb data, here are seven standout hits from 2022: Saunkan Saunkne
The Story: A comedic take on a couple who, unable to conceive after six years, decides the husband should marry his wife's sister.
Verdict: This film was a massive "All-Time Blockbuster," grossing approximately ₹57.60 crore worldwide. Reviewers from The Times of India praised its fresh script and direction. The Legend of Maula Jatt
The Story: A gritty reboot of the classic 1979 cult film, focusing on the legendary rivalry between Maula Jatt and Noori Natt. 7 Hit Movies Punjabi 2022
Verdict: It made history as the first Punjabi film to cross the ₹100 crore mark, as noted by Wikipedia, ultimately earning nearly ₹396 crore worldwide. It is highly regarded on IMDb with an 8.4 rating. Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya
The Story: A historical drama following a Punjabi man who travels to Canada in the early 1900s to work in a lumber mill and support his family.
Verdict: Directed by and starring Amrinder Gill, this film was a significant success with a global gross of nearly ₹39.45 crore. Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne
The Story: A lighthearted comedy starring Diljit Dosanjh about a man who tries to adopt an elderly father to claim an insurance policy.
Verdict: Released in October 2022, it became a commercial hit, grossing over ₹32 crore globally. Aaja Mexico Challiye
The Story: A thriller drama highlighting the struggles of those who try to migrate to foreign countries through illegal "donkey" routes.
Verdict: Starring Ammy Virk, the film resonated with audiences for its realistic portrayal of a serious social issue, earning over ₹23 crore.
The Story: An emotional drama centered on the strength and sacrifices of a mother, featuring Gippy Grewal and Divya Dutta.
Verdict: This film touched many hearts and performed well at the box office, securing its place as one of the top five earners of the year.
The Story: A nostalgic romantic drama exploring teenage love, heartbreak, and the "what-ifs" of life.
Verdict: Celebrated as more of an "emotion" than just a film, it remains a favorite for its soulful music and relatable storytelling. Box Office Performance Summary Movie Title Worldwide Gross (Approx.) The Legend of Maula Jatt ₹396 Crore All-Time Blockbuster Saunkan Saunkne ₹57.60 Crore Blockbuster Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya ₹39.45 Crore Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne ₹32.11 Crore Aaja Mexico Challiye ₹23.72 Crore
This romantic comedy revolves around a childless couple who decide that the husband should marry his wife's sister. The resulting domestic chaos and comic squabbles made it the highest-grossing Punjabi film of 2022 and the sixth highest-grossing of all time in the industry. Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya Ardaas Sarbat De Bhalle Di
The year 2022 marked a significant resurgence for Punjabi cinema (Pollywood), characterized by a mix of record-breaking comedies and deeply emotional dramas. Led by superstars like Ammy Virk and Diljit Dosanjh, the industry saw massive global collections and a growing international footprint.
Below are seven of the most notable hit Punjabi movies released in 2022. Saunkan Saunkne
Released on May 13, 2022, this film became one of the biggest blockbusters in Punjabi cinema history. Performance: It grossed approximately ₹57.60 crore
worldwide, solidifying its status as an "All-Time Blockbuster".
The story follows a couple who, unable to have a child after eight years of marriage, decide that the husband should marry the wife's younger sister. This lead to a hilarious series of squabbles and comedic situations between the two co-wives. Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta, and Nimrat Khaira. Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya
Directed by Amrinder Gill, this periodical drama was a significant commercial success. Performance: It earned roughly ₹39.45 crore at the global box office.
Set in the early 1900s, it depicts the struggles of a Punjabi man who travels to Canada to work in a lumber mill to support his family, facing harsh conditions and local resistance. Amrinder Gill, Sargun Mehta, and Binnu Dhillon. Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne
A Diljit Dosanjh-starrer that released on October 5, 2022, and performed exceptionally well, especially in overseas markets. Performance: The film grossed nearly ₹32.11 crore worldwide.
A comedy-romance centered on a trio of friends who attempt to con an elderly man to secure their financial future. Diljit Dosanjh and Sargun Mehta. Aaja Mexico Challiye The success of these seven films in 2022
This film tackled the serious and relatable theme of illegal immigration. Performance: It collected approximately ₹23.72 crore worldwide.
The narrative highlights the perilous journey and struggles of individuals who try to move to a foreign country (specifically the USA via the "Donkey" route) and are often tricked by fraudulent agents. Ammy Virk, Nasir Chinyoti, and Zafri Khan.
Released around Mother's Day (May 6, 2022), this film was praised for its emotional depth and strong performances. Performance: ₹18.79 crore at the box office.
A heart-touching drama that focuses on the sacrifices and resilience of a mother (played by Divya Dutta) as she struggles to keep her family together. Divya Dutta, Gippy Grewal, and Gurpreet Ghuggi. View of CONTEMPORISING PUNJABI CINEMA
The year 2022 was a landmark period for the Punjabi film industry. After the slowdown caused by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Pollywood roared back to life in 2022 with a vengeance. Audiences flocked back to theaters, craving the signature blend of loud laughter, emotional drama, high-octane action, and rustic romance that only Punjabi cinema can deliver.
While many films released in 2022, only a select few achieved the coveted "Hit" status. These seven movies didn't just recover their investments; they broke records, launched new stars, and proved that content is king in the heart of Punjab and the global diaspora.
Here is the definitive list of the 7 Hit Movies Punjabi 2022 you need to watch.
If you want, I can:
The Punjabi film industry has witnessed an unprecedented renaissance. No longer restricted to regional audiences, Punjabi cinema has established a massive footprint in international territories like Canada, the UK, and Australia.
The year 2022 served as a watershed moment for Pollywood, breaking away from standard formulaic tropes to deliver high-concept dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, and poignant period pieces.
Whether you are a die-hard fan or a newcomer looking to explore the best of regional Indian cinema, these are the 7 Hit Movies Punjabi 2022 that dominated the box office and won hearts globally. 1. Saunkan Saunkne Lead Cast: Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta, Nimrat Khaira Director: Amarjit Singh Saron Genre: Romantic Comedy Verdict: Blockbuster
Saunkan Saunkne is indisputably the biggest Punjabi hit of 2022, grossing over ₹57 crore worldwide. The film revolves around a married couple who, after failing to conceive a child for several years, decide that the husband should marry his wife's sister. What follows is a relentless, laugh-a-minute riot as the two sisters transition from loving siblings to bitter rivals under one roof. The stellar comedic timing of Ammy Virk and the incredible chemistry between Sargun Mehta and Nimrat Khaira made this movie an instant classic. 2. Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya Lead Cast: Amrinder Gill, Sargun Mehta, Binnu Dhillon Director: Amrinder Gill Genre: Period Drama / Comedy Verdict: Super Hit
Marking the directorial debut of Punjabi superstar Amrinder Gill, Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya is a deeply moving period drama set in the early 1900s. The film explores the lives of early Punjabi immigrants who traveled to Canada to work in lumber mills, battling intense racial discrimination and severe working conditions. Blending heart-tugging emotion with clean situational comedy, the movie grossed over ₹39 crore at the box office, cementing Amrinder Gill's status as a master storyteller. 3. Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne
Diljit Dosanjh leads this successful comedy about three friends seeking a quick fortune via an insurance scheme. It successfully blended humor with emotional depth to become a major success.
The year 2022 was a banner year for Punjabi cinema, blending massive box-office triumphs with experimental storytelling that resonated globally. From high-spirited family comedies to gritty historical dramas, Pollywood truly stepped out of its comfort zone.
Here is a look at 7 of the biggest hit Punjabi movies released in 2022: Saunkan Saunkne
This comedy-drama was arguably the biggest blockbuster of the year, grossing over ₹57.00 Cr worldwide
. Starring Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta, and Nimrat Khaira, the film centers on a man who marries his wife's sister to conceive a child, leading to a hilarious yet heartwarming domestic rivalry. Reviewers from The Tribune
praised the chemistry of the lead trio as a "breath of fresh air" for the industry. The Legend of Maula Jatt
While technically a Pakistani production, this Punjabi-language action epic became a global phenomenon in 2022, becoming the highest-grossing Punjabi film of all time
with a worldwide gross of $13.8 million. It reimagines the classic rivalry between Maula Jatt (Fawad Khan) and Noori Natt (Hamza Ali Abbasi) with pathbreaking visual effects Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya If you want, I can:
Directed by and starring Amrinder Gill, this historical drama explores the lives of Punjabi immigrants working in sawmills in Canada during the early 20th century. It was widely acclaimed for its poignant portrayal of the immigrant struggle and high production value, as noted in reports by A romantic drama that touched many hearts,
stars Gurnam Bhullar and Tania. The film focuses on long-lost high school sweethearts who cross paths years later. Critics at The Times of India
highlighted its "pure delight" of a soundtrack and the lead pair's emotional depth, making it one of the top-rated Punjabi films of the year.
Director Jagdeep Sidhu delivered a "poetic masterpiece" with
, a film that broke away from traditional comedy to tell a heavy, soul-stirring story of obsessive love. Featuring Gitaz Bindrakhia and Sargun Mehta, the film was hailed as a bold step for Punjabi cinema for its artistic direction and raw performances. Aaja Mexico Challiye
Starring Ammy Virk, this film tackled the serious issue of illegal immigration (the "donkey" route) through Mexico to reach the USA. It balanced thrill and emotion
while highlighting the desperation of youth seeking a better life abroad, earning a 7.1 rating on IMDb Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne
Ending the year on a high note, Diljit Dosanjh starred in this comedy about three friends coming up with "get-rich-quick" schemes to pay off debts. Released during the festival season, it became a massive family hit and is currently available on ZEE5 Global Which of these genres do you usually prefer— lighthearted comedies intense dramas
Genre: Romantic Comedy Director: Jagdeep Sidhu Cast: Diljit Dosanjh, Neeru Bajwa
When you combine Diljit Dosanjh’s charisma with Neeru Bajwa’s grace, you don't just get a movie; you get an event. The third installment of the beloved Jatt & Juliet franchise landed in 2022, and it did not disappoint. Moving away from the typical Canada-set story, this time the characters found themselves in a hilarious mess in the UK.
Why it was a hit: Nostalgia is a powerful drug. Fans of the 2012 and 2013 originals were eager to see the "Pooja" and "Shampy" dynamic again. The music, composed by Jatinder Shah, went viral on Instagram reels. It remains the highest-grossing Punjabi film of 2022, proving that romantic comedies still rule the Pollywood roost.
Caption: Remember 2022? 🗓️ These 7 Punjabi movies didn't just release... they created a STORM! 🌪️🍿
Which one is your favorite? 👇
#PunjabiCinema #Pollywood2022 #HitMovies #DiljitDosanjh #AmmyVirk #SargunMehta
Genre: Romantic Comedy Director: Rupinder Chahal Cast: Ammy Virk, Sonam Bajwa
Strictly speaking, Puaada released in August 2021, but due to the pandemic, its digital premiere and massive TV viewership occurred throughout early 2022, keeping it in the cultural conversation. The story of a happy-go-lucky milkman (Ammy) trying to marry a modern NRI girl (Sonam) but being blocked by a family feud (the "Puaada") is classic Pollywood.
Why it was a hit: The rustic setting and the hilarious dialect used by Ammy Virk became a meme template for the year. While we focus on 2022 releases, Puaada dominated the OTT charts on Amazon Prime Video in 2022, making it one of the most streamed Punjabi movies of the calendar year.
The year 2022 was a landmark year for Punjabi cinema, commonly known as Pollywood, which saw massive global commercial success and critical praise. From historical epics to laugh-out-loud comedies, the industry delivered hits that resonated with the global Punjabi-speaking diaspora. The Legend of Maula Jatt
This Pakistani Punjabi action epic became a global phenomenon, shattering records as the highest-grossing Punjabi film of all time with a worldwide collection of approximately ₹401 crore. Starring Fawad Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi, the film is a soft reboot of the 1979 cult classic Maula Jat. Its visual grandeur and intense performances earned it comparisons to Game of Thrones and Gladiator. Saunkan Saunkne The biggest Indian Punjabi hit of the year, Saunkan Saunkne
grossed over ₹57.60 crore. A family comedy starring Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta, and Nimrat Khaira, it explores the chaotic and humorous dynamics that ensue when a husband marries his first wife's sister to conceive a child. Chhalla Mud Ke Nahi Aaya
The King of Comedy Returns Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa reunited for the third installment of the beloved Jatt & Juliet franchise. The chemistry between the leads, combined with the hilarious fish-out-of-water scenario set in the USA, made this an instant Diwali blockbuster. If you need a pure stress-buster, this is the one.