Punjabi cinema is in the middle of a quiet but powerful shift – away from formula, and toward stories that actually sit with you. Few filmmakers embody that shift better than Tarnvir Singh Jagpal, and in the latest episode of the Barkat Podcast, he sits down with Rasna Kaur to talk about his latest film, Chaali Din.
The Story Behind Chaali Din
Chaali Din is adapted from Gurpreet Dhugga’s best-selling Punjabi novel of the same name, following a transformative 40-day journey that explores love, loss, redemption, and self-discovery. It’s the kind of material that doesn’t lend itself to easy answers — which is exactly why it’s drawing attention as one of the more thoughtful Punjabi releases of the year, praised for feeling closer to real life than to typical big-screen drama.
For a director whose filmography includes Rabb Da Radio, Daana Paani, and Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da, Chaali Din is another step in a career built on stories rooted in Punjabi soil but told with wide emotional reach.
A Conversation About Craft, Meaning, and What Comes Next
In this episode, Rasna Kaur and Tarnvir Singh Jagpal go beyond the usual promotional beats. The conversation digs into the inspiration behind Chaali Din, the process of adapting a beloved novel for the screen, and — perhaps most interestingly — where Jagpal sees Punjabi cinema heading next. At a time when the industry is often pulled between commercial formula and genuine storytelling, this is a director clearly choosing the latter, and the podcast gives him room to explain why that matters.
Why This Episode Is Worth Your Time
Whether you’re a longtime follower of Punjabi film or just curious about the stories shaping it right now, this episode offers something rare: an unhurried, honest conversation with a director at the centre of that change. It’s part film talk, part reflection on identity and storytelling, and a reminder that Punjabi cinema’s next chapter is being written by people who care deeply about getting it right.
Watch the Full Episode
Catch the full conversation between Tarnvir Singh Jagpal and Rasna Kaur on Barkat, and get an inside look at the making of Chaali Din straight from the director himself.