The unrivalled Queen of Punjabi cinema, or Pollywood, is Kimi Verma. For over a decade now she has lit up the screen with movies such as Qahar, Khoon Da Daaj, Shaheed Udham Singh, Jee Aayan Nu, Asanu Maan Watna Da and Mera Pind My Home, the last of which was a surprisingly good seller when released on DVD in the UK. Her latest release is Sat Sri Akal.
The former Miss India Beautiful Hair was educated in Boston. She made her first film, Nasibo, when she was just fourteen years old. It was directed by Manmohan Singh. “I was studying in school when I got a chance to work with him,” she says, “I never even dreamt of being an actress, but I guess destiny had some nice plans for me.”
Punjabi cinema is going through a boom period at the moment with three times as many movies being released in 2008 than in the previous year. How does Kimi feel about that? “I feel honored to be a part of films that made Punjabi film industry revive,” she explains, “And I am even more proud to be a part of Punjabi films that always conveyed a beautiful message to audience besides entertaining them.”
