Cultural Representation and Hybrid Identity Formation in Punjabi Cinema: Exploring the Punjabi Diaspora in North America

This study examines the concept of hybridity in Punjabi cinema, exploring how character representations authentically depict the diasporic Punjabi identity in North America. Furthermore, it analyses the transformative impact of Punjabi cinema on these identities that shape and redefine their cultural expressions and experiences. In this research, the postcolonial theories of Homi K. Bhabha, Edward Said, and Stuart Hall have been used to investigate how Punjabi films portray the complex relationship between traditions and modern influences through the concept of Hybridity. Films such as Aaja Mexico Challiye (2017), Pind America (2023), Ashke (2018), and Jatt & Juliet 2 (2013) serve as case studies to illustrate the negotiation of diasporic cultural identities that highlight the media's influence in shaping and articulating new hybrid cultural forms. The findings suggest that Punjabi cinema is more than just a medium of entertainment; it also reflects the diasporic experience. It serves as an active space where a transcultural identity is shaped, one that resonates with the realities and evolving needs of the Diaspora. This insight adds depth to cultural studies by highlighting the complexities of identity formation in a globalised world. It also reveals how individuals within the Diaspora continuously negotiate, adapt, and transform their cultural identities in response to changing circumstances.