Neeru Bajwa and Sunny Singh Team Up for Intense Sports Drama
Neeru Bajwa’s next Thaapi Punjabi Movie centers on a girls’ kabaddi team taking on one man’s stubborn idea of family legacy. The film releases worldwide in cinemas on October 16, 2026.
This isn’t just another sports drama. It’s built around a real generational clash, one that plays out on the kabaddi mat instead of at the dinner table.
What Thaapi Punjabi Movie Is About
The story follows Bhakhtaur Singh, a 70-year-old undefeated wrestler still holding onto an old idea of legacy. He wanted a son to carry his name forward in the sport, but his own son never took up wrestling.
That unresolved expectation now falls on a new generation. A village women’s kabaddi team steps up to challenge exactly what Bhakhtaur believes his legacy should look like.
Notably, the first-look poster captures this tension visually. It places an older man, women from different generations, a rural setting and a floodlit kabaddi arena all within a single frame.
Full Cast of Thaapi
Sunny Singh stars opposite Neeru Bajwa in the lead role, marking his first Punjabi film. The complete cast includes:
Main Lead
- Neeru Bajwa
- Sunny Singh
Cast
Sukhwinder Chahal, Hashneen Chauhan, Sawan Rupowali, Pawan Johal, Simran Chahal, Nikita Grover, Parveen Khan, Seema Kausha, Malkeet Rauni, Kewal Dhaliwal, Sahib Singh, Tarsem Paul, Gopi Bhalla, Ravinder Mand
Jagdeep Warring, a well-known writer steps into directing for the very first time with this project. He also wrote the screenplay, and Amanpreet Singh is credited as producer.
Ajay Devgn Gives Thaapi His Blessing
The film picked up an unexpected show of support this week. Ajay Devgn watched the Thaapi teaser and sent his appreciation to Sunny Singh.
Sunny didn’t hold back his excitement. He wrote a heartfelt note thanking Devgn, admitting he’s admired the veteran actor since childhood.
Getting a nod from Ajay Devgn carries real weight for a debut Punjabi outing. It’s the kind of endorsement that puts a smaller regional film in front of a much wider audience.
Thaapi can stands out in Punjabi Cinema
Women-led sports dramas remain rare in Punjabi cinema, which makes this project genuinely different. Consequently, it’s drawing attention beyond Neeru Bajwa’s existing fan base.
Smarters Films presents Thaapi in association with Neeru Bajwa Entertainment. Meanwhile, Panorama Studios and Anand Pandit Motion Pictures are handling worldwide theatrical distribution.
It signals something larger taking shape for Panorama Studios’ Punjabi slate. Panorama Studios recently picked up worldwide rights to three Punjabi films for 2026, and Thaapi is one of them, alongside Argentina and Ranjheya.
Release Date and What to Expect
Thaapi arrives in cinemas worldwide on October 16, 2026. With the teaser out and Ajay Devgn’s endorsement adding fresh buzz, anticipation is clearly building ahead of a full trailer.
Given Neeru Bajwa’s track record with hits like Kali Jotta and Jatt & Juliet 3, expectations were already high for this one. Our take: a story built on family legacy and women’s sport, backed now by a big Bollywood name’s blessing, gives Thaapi real crossover potential.
Thaapi’s kabaddi-legacy story, its full cast reveal and Ajay Devgn’s endorsement have all built solid buzz ahead of October 16. Who do you think has what it takes to be the strongest athlete on that kabaddi mat? Tell us in the comments below.
Photo courtesy: Sunny Singh on Instagram
