Raj Kundra launches Akaal Films on birthday to tell Punjab's stories
Synopsis
Raj Kundra chose his birthday to do something he had long planned — launch Akaal Films, a production house with an explicit cultural mission: to bring Punjab's stories of courage, identity, and sacrifice to the world. It is a rare instance of a business personality staking a creative identity on regional heritage rather than mainstream commercial fare.
Key Takeaways
Raj Kundra launched production house Akaal Films on his birthday, 9 September .
The venture will focus on stories rooted in Punjab — its people, history, and spirit — targeting global audiences.
Kundra shared the announcement via Instagram , describing Akaal Films as 'more than a production house.' Actress Shilpa Shetty marked the occasion with a heartfelt birthday tribute to her husband.
No specific project titles or release timelines have been announced yet under the Akaal Films banner.
Businessman Raj Kundra marked his birthday on 9 September with a milestone announcement, unveiling his production house Akaal Films — a venture he described as a long-cherished ambition to bring Punjab-rooted stories of courage, identity, and sacrifice to global audiences.
The Launch Announcement
Taking to Instagram, Kundra shared a video introducing the new production house, writing: 'With Waheguru Ji's blessings, today I introduce AKAAL FILMS, my production house, and a journey I've wanted to begin for a long time. A home for stories of courage. Stories of identity. Stories of sacrifice. Stories of those who came before us. Stories rooted in Punjab, its people, its history and its spirit, but told for the world. This is more than a production house for me. AKAAL FILMS…The journey begins. Waheguru Mehar Kare.'
The Great Punjab Robbery actor emphasised that Akaal Films would serve as a creative home for narratives deeply embedded in Punjabi heritage, while being crafted with a universal reach in mind. The venture is not merely a commercial enterprise, he indicated, but a personal mission tied to cultural preservation and storytelling.
What Akaal Films Stands For
According to Kundra's announcement, the production house will focus specifically on Punjab — its people, history, and spirit — with stories centred on themes of courage, identity, and sacrifice. The intent, he stated, is to ensure that narratives rooted in the region find audiences well beyond India's borders.
Notably, the launch aligns with a broader trend of regional storytelling gaining mainstream and international traction, as seen with the global success of Punjabi cinema and music in recent years. Akaal Films appears positioned to tap into that cultural momentum with a more purposeful, heritage-driven approach.
Shilpa Shetty's Birthday Tribute
The announcement coincided with warm birthday wishes from Kundra's wife, actress Shilpa Shetty, who penned a heartfelt note on the occasion. Addressing him as her 'darling Cookie,' Shetty wrote: 'We celebrate you every day, but today is extra special because it's your birthday! May you always be blessed, protected, happy, and surrounded by abundance, love, and laughter.'
She added: 'Here's to another year of you being my favourite person to annoy, laugh with, and do life alongside. Happy Birthday, my Cookie. Life is simply sweeter with you.'
What Comes Next
No specific projects or release timelines under the Akaal Films banner have been announced as yet. However, the production house's stated mandate — stories rooted in Punjab but intended for global audiences — suggests an ambitious slate ahead. Industry observers will watch closely to see which directors, writers, and platforms Kundra partners with as the venture moves from announcement to production.
Point of View
But the cultural framing of Akaal Films is the more interesting signal. Anchoring a production house explicitly to Punjabi heritage — rather than chasing pan-India commercial formulas — is either a genuine creative conviction or a savvy bet on the global appetite for regional authenticity that has powered everything from Punjabi music to diaspora-focused streaming content. What remains to be seen is whether the venture attracts serious creative talent and greenlit projects, or stays at the level of a well-branded announcement. The absence of any confirmed slate at launch means the real story of Akaal Films is still to be written.
NationPress
9 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Akaal Films?
Akaal Films is a production house launched by businessman Raj Kundra on 9 September , his birthday. It is dedicated to telling stories rooted in Punjab — focusing on themes of courage, identity, and sacrifice — with the aim of reaching audiences worldwide.
Why did Raj Kundra start Akaal Films?
Kundra described the venture as something he had wanted to begin for a long time, calling it 'more than a production house.' The initiative is framed as a personal and cultural mission to preserve and share Punjabi heritage through storytelling on a global scale.
How did Raj Kundra announce Akaal Films?
Kundra announced Akaal Films through a video post on Instagram on 9 September , sharing a personal message invoking Waheguru Ji's blessings and outlining the production house's creative mandate.
What did Shilpa Shetty say on Raj Kundra's birthday?
Actress Shilpa Shetty posted a heartfelt birthday tribute calling Kundra her 'darling Cookie,' wishing him happiness, love, laughter, and abundance. She described him as her 'favourite person to annoy, laugh with, and do life alongside.'
What projects will Akaal Films produce?
No specific film or series titles have been announced yet under the Akaal Films banner. The production house's stated focus is on Punjab-rooted narratives of courage, identity, and sacrifice intended for global audiences.
