The Punjabi film industry was born in 1939 with the release of the film "Heer Ranjha," directed by A.R. Kardar. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that Punjabi cinema started gaining popularity, with films like "Laawaris" (1981) and "Qurbani" (1981). These early films primarily catered to the local audience and dealt with themes of love, family, and social issues.