Highlights:
- Panorama Studios acquires three Punjabi films for global release.
- Argentina, Thaapi, and Ranjheya will release worldwide in 2026.
- The lineup stars Ammy Virk, Neeru Bajwa, and Harrdy Sandhu.
- The deal follows the success of Ishqan De Lekhe.
- Panorama Studios has also strengthened its Punjabi division by bringing in Anshu Kapoor
Panorama Studios is expanding its presence in Punjabi cinema after acquiring the worldwide theatrical distribution rights to three major Punjabi-language films set for release in 2026. According to an exclusive report by The Variety, the studio will distribute Argentina, starring Ammy Virk and Sargun Mehta; Thaapi, featuring Neeru Bajwa and Sunny Singh; and Ranjheya, starring Harrdy Sandhu and Simrat Kaur.
The deal marks one of Panorama Studios' biggest investments in Punjabi cinema and comes after the strong performance of Ishqan De Lekhe, which emerged as one of the surprise box office successes of 2026.
The three films bring together some of the biggest names in Punjabi entertainment. Ammy Virk is among the industry's most successful actors and singers, while Neeru Bajwa remains one of Punjabi cinema's biggest female stars with a career spanning more than two decades. Harrdy Sandhu, known internationally for his hit music, has steadily built a successful acting career alongside his singing career.
A lesser-known fact is that Punjabi cinema has become one of India's fastest-growing regional film industries overseas. Large Punjabi-speaking communities in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States regularly help Punjabi films earn a significant share of their box office revenue outside India. In recent years, several Punjabi films have even outperformed expectations in international markets because of this loyal diaspora audience.
Another growing trend is the increasing value of Punjabi music rights. Since Punjabi songs enjoy massive global popularity on streaming platforms, producers are now earning additional revenue through digital music licensing, making Punjabi films more attractive investments.
Panorama Studios has also strengthened its Punjabi division by bringing in Anshu Kapoor earlier this year as the head of Punjabi production and acquisitions. Since joining the company, Kapoor has focused on building relationships with filmmakers and expanding the studio's regional film slate.
Besides the three newly acquired films, Panorama Studios is also preparing to release Kankaan De Ole on July 31 and the horror-folklore drama 70 Syaal later this year.
Speaking about the company's plans, Panorama Studios chairman Kumar Mangat Pathak said, "Punjabi cinema today enjoys a strong cultural connect not only within India but also across international markets where Punjabi-speaking audiences are significant. At Panorama Studios, we have always believed in the power of regional storytelling, and the success of Ishqan De Lekhe has further strengthened our conviction. With Argentina, Thaapi, and Ranjheya, we are partnering with films that combine compelling narratives with some of the most loved stars of Punjabi cinema. We remain committed to supporting quality content and expanding the reach of Punjabi films to audiences worldwide."
Murlidhar Chhatwani, CEO of Distribution and Syndication at Panorama Studios, added, "These acquisitions of Argentina, Thaapi and Ranjheya are an important step in our strategy to build a strong and consistent Punjabi film slate. We see tremendous growth potential in the market, both domestically and internationally. Our focus is on identifying films with strong theatrical appeal and ensuring they receive the scale of release and marketing support they deserve."
He also noted that Punjab's digital entertainment market is growing rapidly, while the worldwide popularity of Punjabi music continues to increase the value of film soundtracks.
Anshu Kapoor said, "Punjabi cinema is going through a rediscovery phase, with audiences seeking fresh stories to explore new genres. Since joining Panorama Studios, my focus has been on building meaningful relationships with producers, filmmakers, and talent across the industry and creating a strong pipeline of films that can travel beyond traditional markets. ‘Argentina,’ ‘Thaapi’ and ‘Ranjheya’ are excellent examples of the scale, diversity and quality we want to champion."
