Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Punjabi Film Rehmat Debuts at Locarno Amid Support Dispute
Rehmat is a new Punjabi movie directed by Gurvinder Singh.
It was shown for the first time at a film festival in Locarno, Switzerland.
The movie includes Jaswant Singh Zafar, who is acting for the first time at age 60.
He is also a poet and a Punjab government official.
The story looks at Punjab’s history over the past 100 years.
It also talks about problems people face today, such as drugs, farming difficulties, unemployment and young people moving abroad.
The movie is based on three stories by writer Ajeet Cour.
The director says Punjabi filmmakers do not receive enough support at home.
A government official says Punjab has recently introduced a policy offering shooting clearances and subsidies.
Gurvinder Singh’s Punjabi film Rehmat premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
The film features 60-year-old debutant Jaswant Singh Zafar alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Suvinder Vicky.
Rehmat draws on three stories by 91-year-old Partition survivor and writer Ajeet Cour.
The film connects Punjab’s past century with present-day issues including drugs, farming, unemployment and youth migration.
Gurvinder criticized limited institutional support, while Invest Punjab cited a newly announced film policy and subsidies.
- Who
- Director Gurvinder Singh, debutant Jaswant Singh Zafar, Naseeruddin Shah, Suvinder Vicky and writer Ajeet Cour are central to the film.
- What
- Rehmat, a Punjabi film exploring Punjab’s history, compassion and current crises, premiered internationally and competed for Locarno’s Golden Leopard.
- When
- The film had its world debut earlier this month; Zafar has served as Languages Department director for two years.
- Where
- It premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland and was filmed in Kila Raipur and Gujjarwal near Ludhiana.
- Why
- Gurvinder made the film to examine Punjab’s past and present, including its trauma, compassion and social problems.
Critics of Current Support
Government Response
Support for Punjabi cinema
Critics of Current Support
Gurvinder Singh says Punjab lacks a film policy, institute, festivals and grants, and that the Punjabi film industry does not encourage thoughtful films.
Government Response
Amit Dhaka of Invest Punjab says the government announced the Punjab Film Promotion Policy in March, with a portal for shooting clearances and subsidies.
Recognition at home
Critics of Current Support
Gurvinder and Jaswant Singh Zafar say the film’s Locarno screening received insufficient support or response from Punjab authorities.
Government Response
Invest Punjab says it is taking measures to improve support and is trying to make filmmakers aware of the new policy.
- Film
- Rehmat, meaning compassion or God’s blessing
- Director
- National Award-winning filmmaker Gurvinder Singh
- Debutant
- Jaswant Singh Zafar, aged 60
- Festival
- Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland
- Competition
- Selected for the Pardo d’Oro, or Golden Leopard, competition
- Source material
- Three short stories by Punjabi writer Ajeet Cour
- Production
- Produced by Arpana Cour and French independent company Pavo Films