In this emotional and powerful episode of the Shallu Nisha Podcast, we sit down with the team behind the Punjabi film “Yamla” — Director Rakesh Mehta, Navneet Kaur Dhillon, and Dheeraj Kumar, as they share the journey of creating a film that holds a very special place in their hearts.Yamla features beloved Punjabi artist Rajvir Jawanda in the lead role — an artist who is no longer with us today, but whose voice, talent, and humanity continue to live through this film.This conversation dives deep into Rajvir’s passion, his dedication to Yamla, unforgettable memories with him, and the emotional journey of completing the film after his passing. 💔From filmmaking challenges to emotional realities behind the scenes, to the painful truth of why Punjabi cinema struggles — this is a raw and honest conversation every Punjabi should watch.Timestamps 00:00 - Promo03:45 - Casting Rajvir Jawanda in Yamla, Mukk Challe Ne Saah07:36 - How Film Dialogue Turned Into Reality, Marr Chukya To Mere Lyi08:30 - How Yamla Movie is Different for Director Rakesh Mehta11:06 - Casting of Dheeraj in Yamla & Breaking Patterns in Punjabi Cinema14:00 - Preparation for Different Characters17:13 - Navneet’s Criteria for Choosing a Movie20:48 - The Scene Audiences Will Carry Home22:56 - On Gurpreet Ghuggi & Weakness of a Filmmaker25:34 - Digressive Cinema & Chamkila Movie29:21 - Punjab’s Audience Doesn’t Watch Punjabi Movies31:55 - Dheeraj on Punjabi Film Industry & Cinema33:36 - Chamkila vs Jodi — Cinema Should Be Story Based35:00 - Will Audience Mindset Change?37:25 - Movie vs Music Industry of Punjab41:06 - Beginning of Rakesh Mehta as Filmmaker, God Father Script47:50 - Why Audience Is Not Supporting Punjabi Cinema, OTT vs Cinema50:21 - Navneet Dhillon on OTT vs Cinema52:36 - Why Not Rajvir’s Song in Yamla Movie? Butt Mitti Da, Sirdool Singer55:56 - How Actors Carry Their Character in a Film59:20 - Why Music in Movies?01:00:52 - Rakesh Mehta’s Direction on Songs in a Film01:01:26 - Royalties to Directors & Actors — Dheeraj’s Take01:05:30 - Web Series vs Films01:06:06 - Good Budgets for Good Movies? Vaapsi01:08:12 - Directors’ & Actors’ Dream Projects with Unlimited Budget01:12:14 - Any Downtime During Shoot? Responsibility on Director01:15:01 - Rajvir’s First Reaction When He Heard Yamla Story01:16:26 - Yamla’s Earnings to Rajvir’s Family & Singer Support01:22:18 - Releasing Day is Festival Day01:23:00 - Reaction of Rajvir on Release Day — Reel Maker Rajvir01:26:40 - Reels vs Films (Short Content vs Long Content)01:30:40 - Navneet’s Take on Short Form Content01:33:50 - When Content Creators Become Actors, Weakness of Filmmakers & Social Media01:36:12 - Pankaj Kapoor & Harry Bhatti01:40:11 - Rakesh Mehta on Pankaj Kapoor’s Statement01:41:40 - How Rakesh Mehta Cast Raj Kundra for Mehar01:44:11 - On-Set Improvisation by Dheeraj01:50:00 - “Bakwas Films” of Punjabi Cinema01:52:57 - OTT for Punjabi Movies01:53:31 - Rapid Fire Round01:58:30 - Compliment to Navneet02:00:00 - Meaning of Success & Episode Wrap Up