Bollywood, more often than not, has fixed ideas about everything.
In this preset vision, the quintessential Punjabi lass runs around lush fields attired in bright Patiala salwars while her colorful duppata cascades romantically in mid-air. Full of beans and charm, her temperament is, expectedly, on the cheerful, chirpy side.
Sure enough, her balle balle skills make her the heart of any party, function or event.
In the soon-to-release Heroes, Preity Zinta plays a Punjabi village belle. But there's more to her role than taking a stroll in the green countryside [which, of course, she does indulge in].
As the production notes mention, she plays the 'man of the house,' or rather a woman of responsibilities and conviction. On this note, here's a sneak peek at the various portrayals of Bollywood's Punjab di kudis in recent times:
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Preity Zinta as Naina Catherine Kapur, Kal Ho Naa Ho
New Yorker Naina is part-Punjabi, part-Christian. Exotic? Not quite! Her mixed heritage poses a regular problem for this young MBA student as she struggles to maintain peace between her mocking mommy and gregarious granny.
Also, the latter is hell-bent on getting Naina married off to an eligible Punjabi bachelor through the notorious Kunwari Kudiyon te Mundey club.
Eventually, a salwar-kameez attired Naina marries a Gujarati guy amidst heavy-duty bhangra and balle balle!
Kareena Kapoor, Geet Dhillon, Jab We Met
And you dare not mess with this 'Sikhni hoon main Bhatinda ki,' or she'll drag you home, introduce to the dazzling inhabitants of her mini-Punjabesque home and coerce you into a high-strung bhangra.
Katrina Kaif as Jasmeet 'Jazz' Malhotra, Namastey London
Katrina Kaif's reluctantly-Punjabi Jasmeet finds out the hard way in Vipul Shah's Namastey London. Not before she indulges in a bit of desi tourism, namely running around the village in ethnic salwars, sporting nose-rings and whipping ghar ka makhaan, the works.
Kajol as Simran Singh, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
There are two sides to her sweetness personified character. Under her disciplinarian dad's strict eye, she is a picture of tradition, clad in demure salwar kameezes, saying her prayers and agreeing to marry a bloke of his choice.
On the other hand, one gets to see a fun-filled, trendy aspect of her persona, during a month-long European holiday with friends and a certain Raj Malhotra.
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Rani Mukerji as Vimmi aka Babli, Bunty Aur Babli
Elopes from home with a bunch of Haryanvi suits, joins hand with a fellow absconder, changes her handle to Babli and cons people like no tomorrow. Together, they are India's lighthearted answer to Bonnie and Clyde.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Lalita Bakshi, Bride and Prejudice
Here, Elizabeth aka Amritsar kudi Lalita shows no interest in any of the desi guys. Instead, first experiences fond feelings for a manipulative English chap only to later find true love in another American fellow. Ash is said to have specially put on weight to look the part of a healthy, Punjabi girl.
Minissha Lamba as Mahi, Bachna Ae Haseeno
Minissha Lamba slips into the skin of wide-eyed Mahi with sugary conviction and chic patialas mix and matched with cropped denim jackets and kurtis. Too bad, her DDLJ doesn't quite have a happy end. At least not till post-intermission.
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