Apoorva Arora begins shooting Punjabi thriller 'City Beautiful' in Chandigarh
Synopsis
Years after 'Disco Singh', Apoorva Arora is back in Punjabi cinema — and she's calling it a homecoming. Now filming 'City Beautiful', a crime thriller shot across Chandigarh and Mohali, Arora says the script was the one she had been waiting for. She plans to close the shoot with a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Key Takeaways
Apoorva Arora has begun shooting Punjabi crime thriller 'City Beautiful' in Chandigarh and Mohali .
The film marks her return to Punjabi cinema after several years, following 'Disco Singh' with Diljit Dosanjh .
Arora described the project as a 'homecoming' and said the story 'instantly connected' with her.
Details about her character remain undisclosed; the film's genre is crime thriller .
She plans to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar after wrapping the shoot.
Her most recent screen role was Aviva in the streaming series 'Ilaka' .
Actress Apoorva Arora has begun filming her upcoming Punjabi crime thriller 'City Beautiful' in Chandigarh and Mohali, calling the project a 'homecoming' as it marks her return to Punjabi cinema after several years. The shoot is currently underway across the two cities.
A Long-Awaited Return to Punjabi Cinema
Arora was last seen in a Punjabi film with 'Disco Singh', which featured Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role. After that project, she had been searching for a Punjabi script that genuinely excited her — and 'City Beautiful' turned out to be the one.
'It honestly feels like a homecoming. After Disco Singh, I was waiting for a Punjabi script that genuinely excited me, and City Beautiful was exactly the kind of project I had been hoping for. The story instantly connected with me,' she said.
What Arora Said About the Shoot
The actress described the on-set atmosphere as warm and collaborative, crediting the director for making the process comfortable. 'I can't reveal much about my character right now, but I can say that this has been a wonderful experience. We've been shooting across Chandigarh and Mohali, and everyone on the set has been incredibly warm and supportive. Our director has made the entire process so comfortable, and it has been a delight coming to the set every day,' she said.
Arora also reflected on the emotional significance of returning to Punjab, noting that some of her earliest memories as an actor are rooted in the state. 'Coming back after all these years feels surreal. Once I wrap the shoot, I plan to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek blessings before heading back. It feels like the perfect way to conclude this beautiful journey,' she added.
Her Recent Work on Screen
Prior to 'City Beautiful', Arora was seen in the streaming series 'Ilaka', where she played Aviva — a wealthy young woman from South Bombay who falls for a man from a Mumbai chawl. The character was described as someone who looks beyond background and societal status, with the relationship between Aviva and her boyfriend serving as a rare ray of warmth in an otherwise dark narrative.
What to Watch For
Details about Arora's character in 'City Beautiful' remain under wraps, but the film's crime thriller genre signals a departure from the lighter fare she has been associated with. With the shoot progressing in Chandigarh and Mohali, a release timeline is yet to be announced. The project is being watched as a potential marker of renewed mainstream interest in Punjabi cinema beyond its dominant music-comedy format.
Point of View
From 'Angrej' to 'Sardaar Ji' and beyond. What's notable here is Arora's framing: she didn't return for any Punjabi script, but waited for the right one. That selectivity, combined with the crime genre, suggests 'City Beautiful' is positioning itself as a more serious cinematic offering. Whether it breaks through will depend on execution — but the casting choice signals intent.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'City Beautiful'?
'City Beautiful' is an upcoming Punjabi crime thriller starring Apoorva Arora, currently being filmed in Chandigarh and Mohali. The film marks Arora's return to Punjabi cinema after several years.
Why is Apoorva Arora calling 'City Beautiful' a homecoming?
Arora described the project as a homecoming because it marks her return to Punjabi cinema after a long gap, following her earlier Punjabi film 'Disco Singh' with Diljit Dosanjh. She said some of her earliest memories as an actor are from Punjab.
What was Apoorva Arora's last Punjabi film?
Her last Punjabi film was 'Disco Singh', in which she appeared alongside Diljit Dosanjh. After that, she had been waiting for a Punjabi script that genuinely excited her before committing to another project in the industry.
What was Apoorva Arora's most recent acting role before 'City Beautiful'?
Before 'City Beautiful', Arora was seen in the streaming series 'Ilaka', where she played Aviva — a wealthy young woman from South Bombay whose relationship with a man from a Mumbai chawl forms the emotional core of the story.
Where is 'City Beautiful' being filmed?
The film is being shot across Chandigarh and Mohali. Arora has said the on-set atmosphere has been warm and supportive, and that she plans to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar once the shoot wraps.
