When was the last time a Punjabi film made you laugh so hard your sides hurt, tap your feet to a banger soundtrack, and feel the warmth of a giant family wedding — all at once? Viyaah Kartaare Da (The Wedding Swindlers) arrives in cinemas as a landmark collaboration between Humble Motion Pictures and Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, and this historic pairing pays off in every frame. Directed by the undisputed king of Punjabi comedy Smeep Kang, and led by the irresistible Gippy Grewal, this is the big, chaotic, laugh-out-loud wedding entertainer that Punjabi cinema fans have been waiting for.
Viyaah Kartaare Da is a pure, unapologetic crowd-pleaser that thrives on its absurd premise, brilliant ensemble, and the kind of festive energy that makes you want to attend a Punjabi wedding immediately after the credits roll. If you love the Carry On Jatta universe, this is your next obsession. Gippy Grewal is at his most charming, the comedy brigade is devastating in the best possible way, and the music is already destined for wedding playlists across Punjab. A minor slowdown in the second half is a small price to pay for one of the most genuinely fun theatrical experiences of 2026.
Language: Punjabi
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Family Drama
Director: Smeep Kang
Released: February 27, 2026
The Story: Chaos, Love & a Very Inconvenient Coma
The film follows Kartar (Gippy Grewal), a lovably lazy young man who hatches an audacious plan when his corrupt police officer father falls into a coma — he fakes his father’s death to claim his job and pension. What could possibly go wrong? Everything. While Kartar is busy juggling forged documents and secret identities, he is simultaneously trying to win the heart of his sweetheart Nimmo (Nimrat Khaira). The universe, naturally, refuses to cooperate — and just when Kartar thinks the worst is over, his father wakes up.
What follows is a gloriously escalating comedy of errors, rooted deeply in the cultural vibrancy of Punjabi wedding traditions. The screenplay by Chanchal Dabra is smart enough to keep the absurdity coherent and fast enough to never let the laughs dry up. It is a familiar structure, yes — but Smeep Kang executes it with such precision and energy that familiarity feels like a warm hug rather than a lazy shortcut.
Performances: Everyone Shines
Gippy Grewal is the beating heart of this film. His portrayal of Kartar — a lovable fraud trying to hold his double life together — is effortless, magnetic, and surprisingly layered. He carries the comedy with impeccable timing, the romance with genuine warmth, and the occasional emotional beat with quiet sincerity. This is Gippy at his very best.
Nimrat Khaira as Nimmo brings grace and grounding to the chaos. Her chemistry with Gippy is natural and endearing, and her vocal contributions to the soundtrack are among the film’s finest moments. While her role is somewhat reactive, she makes every scene she inhabits feel warmer and more alive.
The real showstoppers, however, are the comedy trio of Prince Kanwaljit Singh, Gurpreet Ghuggi, and B.N. Sharma. Prince Kanwaljit in particular is an absolute revelation — his deadpan delivery and razor-sharp timing mean he steals every scene he appears in, often without saying a word. Ghuggi brings his trademark exuberance and Sharma delivers the kind of old-school comedy that Punjabi audiences adore. Together, they form one of the most formidable comic ensembles the industry has seen in recent years.
Deep Sehgal and Rupinder Rupi round out the family drama beautifully, ensuring that beneath all the laughter, the film retains genuine emotional warmth and cultural authenticity.
Direction & Screenplay
Smeep Kang is operating at the peak of his powers. His signature ensemble chaos technique — multiple subplots colliding simultaneously within a single festive setting — is deployed here with surgical precision. He knows exactly when to push the comedy further and when to let a tender moment breathe. The screenplay manages to keep the logic intact just enough for the audience to fully enjoy the absurdity without ever questioning it too hard. That balance is genuinely difficult to achieve, and Kang makes it look easy.
Technical Brilliance
The Humble–Dharma collaboration brings a level of visual polish that Punjabi comedy has not always enjoyed. The cinematography is rich and vibrant, capturing the grandeur of Punjabi wedding celebrations — elaborate sets, dazzling costumes, high-energy dance sequences — with genuine cinematic flair. The production design is meticulous and immersive.
The music is, as expected from a Humble Motion production, absolutely top-tier. The title track is already a wedding anthem in the making, pulsing with the kind of irresistible energy that will fill dance floors for years to come. The romantic ballads between Gippy and Nimrat are tender and beautifully composed, offering the film its quieter, more emotional heartbeats.
The editing keeps the first half crisply paced, though the second half does slow slightly as the “hiding the truth” tropes start to feel familiar. A tighter cut in a few stretches would have helped maintain momentum, but the strength of the performances ensures the film never loses its grip on the audience.
Strengths
The film’s greatest strength is its cultural authenticity. Viyaah Kartaare Da doesn’t merely use Punjabi wedding culture as a setting — it celebrates it wholeheartedly. Every ceremony, every family dynamic, and every piece of dialogue feels rooted in genuine cultural understanding, making it deeply relatable for anyone who has lived through the beautiful madness of a large Punjabi family wedding. Add to that an unbeatable ensemble cast, landmark production value, a soundtrack built for celebrations, and Smeep Kang’s masterful direction, and you have a film that delivers on every promise it makes.
Areas for Improvement
The second half leans into familiar territory a touch too comfortably. The “desperately hiding a secret” structure is a well-worn Punjabi comedy trope, and while Kang navigates it skillfully, a single surprising narrative twist could have elevated the film further. Nimrat Khaira’s character, though warmly portrayed, also deserves slightly more agency — her talents shine brightest when given more room to play.
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ — 4.5/5
Viyaah Kartaare Da is loud, colorful, heartfelt, and infectiously funny — the ultimate Punjabi family entertainer of early 2026. Gippy Grewal and Smeep Kang prove once again that they are the undisputed duo of the Punjabi box office, and the historic Humble–Dharma collaboration has produced something genuinely special. Minor pacing niggles aside, this is a film that achieves everything it sets out to do and then some. Book your tickets. Take the whole family. And clear space on your playlist for that title track.
“A masterclass in chaotic comedy that proves Gippy Grewal and Smeep Kang remain the undisputed rulers of Punjabi box office.”
What is the age rating of Viyaah Kartaare Da?
Viyaah Kartaare Da carries a U/A certificate, making it suitable for most audiences
Can I watch Viyaah Kartaare Da with kids?
Absolutely. This is a wholesome family entertainer in every sense.
Viyaah Kartaare Da based on a true story?
No, Viyaah Kartaare Da is not based on a true story.
Who is the director of Viyaah Kartaare Da?
The film is directed by Smeep Kang, widely regarded as the king of Punjabi comedy cinema and the creative force behind the beloved Carry On Jatta franchise.
