Neeru Bajwa Pulls Film 'Thaapi' From Cinemas, Says Nothing Bigger Than Punjabਨੀਰੂ ਬਾਜਵਾ ਨੇ ਫ਼ਿਲਮ 'ਥਾਪੀ' ਸਿਨੇਮਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਹਟਾਈ, ਕਿਹਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਕੁਝ ਨਹੀਂ

Punjabi actor and producer Neeru Bajwa has pulled her new film Thaapi from cinemas, saying nothing is bigger than Punjab at a time when the state is gripped by protests over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. The film opened only two days ago, on 16 October.

What Neeru Bajwa announced

In a social media post on Sunday, Bajwa said she and her team had decided to put the film on hold, according to Babushahi, Punjabi Mania, ABP Sanjha and Ajit. From 19 October, Thaapi will not be screened in any cinema in India or abroad until further notice, Babushahi reported.

"Nothing is bigger than Punjab for us," Bajwa said. She added that she is who she is because of Punjab and Punjabiyat, and that the film was made so that Punjab's fields would see excitement again. Cinema, she said, exists for the people and can never be bigger than the people. "We were with Punjab earlier, we are with Punjab today and we will always be with Punjab in the future," she wrote, as reported by Babushahi.

No fresh release date has been announced. ABP Sanjha reported that the film will be shown again only once the situation in Punjab improves.

The Jhota case behind the decision

Jhota, who campaigned against the open sale of drugs at chemist shops, was shot dead in Mansa on 13 October, according to The Hindu and NDTV. Police have said he was shot by a medical store owner after he confronted him, and the main accused has been arrested. More than five days later, his family and a justice committee have still not carried out the cremation, and they are standing by their demands, ABP Sanjha reported. These include a CBI probe and the resignations of the chief minister and the state police chief.

The committee has announced sit-ins outside the homes of AAP MLAs on 19 October from noon to 3 pm, ABP Sanjha said. On Saturday, Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon joined the protest in Mansa and urged people to wear black turbans and dupattas until justice is delivered, NDTV reported. The AAP government has said it is taking strict action against drug traffickers.

Why it matters for Pollywood

Thaapi is a Punjabi sports drama that arrived in theatres on 16 October. A pause just days after release is unusual in an industry that depends heavily on the opening weekend, which makes the decision a notable gesture of solidarity rather than a routine scheduling change. Bajwa did not say how long the break would last.

Why did Neeru Bajwa pull Thaapi from cinemas?

She said she and her team decided that nothing is more important than Punjab and its people given the current situation in the state, where protests over Parvinder Singh Jhota's killing continue.

When did Thaapi release and when will it be pulled?

The film released in cinemas on 16 October 2026. Screenings stop from 19 October in India and abroad, according to Bajwa's announcement.

Will Thaapi return to theatres?

No date has been given. Bajwa said the film will be held back until the situation in Punjab improves.