Saurabh Sachdeva on Punjabi debut Ishqnama with Shehnaaz Gill
Synopsis
Known for his intense supporting roles in Hindi films, Saurabh Sachdeva is crossing over into Punjabi cinema with Ishqnama — and a Hollywood debut in Dev Patel's The Peasant is also on the horizon. His description of emotionally charged scenes with Shehnaaz Gill at the Chandigarh teaser launch has already set expectations high ahead of the 24 July release.
Key Takeaways
Saurabh Sachdeva makes his Punjabi film debut in Ishqnama , releasing 24 July 2025 .
The film stars Shehnaaz Gill and Jayy Randhawa alongside Sachdeva, directed by Arvvindr S.
Sachdeva praised Gill for balancing 'different shades of her character' and called their shared scenes 'emotionally impactful'.
The teaser was launched at an event in Chandigarh on 15 June 2025 .
Sachdeva is also set to make his Hollywood debut in The Peasant , directed and co-written by Dev Patel .
Actor and acting coach Saurabh Sachdeva is set to make his Punjabi film debut with Ishqnama, starring alongside Shehnaaz Gill and Jayy Randhawa. The film, directed by Arvvindr S. Khaira, is scheduled to release in cinemas on 24 July 2025.
An Instant Connection With the Story
Speaking at the teaser launch event held in Chandigarh, Sachdeva opened up about what drew him to the project despite having no prior experience in Punjabi cinema. He credited the director's conviction as the deciding factor.
'When the director first approached me for the film, I told him that I had never done a Punjabi film before. But his confidence and encouragement convinced me to take the leap. The moment I heard the story, I felt an instant connection with it. It was such a beautiful and heartfelt narrative that I knew I wanted to be a part of it,' Sachdeva said.
A Collaborative Set and Memorable Scenes With Shehnaaz Gill
Sachdeva described the on-set atmosphere as one of creative openness, noting that discussions and idea exchanges made the filmmaking process rewarding. He reserved particular praise for co-star Shehnaaz Gill, highlighting the emotional depth she brought to their shared scenes.
'The scenes I shared with Shehnaaz are particularly powerful, and I believe audiences will be genuinely surprised and touched by them. I admired the way she balanced different shades of her character while creating a space for genuine collaboration between us. What we created together felt very honest and emotionally impactful,' the Animal actor said.
What Ishqnama Means for Sachdeva's Career
The film marks a significant genre and language shift for Sachdeva, who has built a reputation as both a performer and an acting coach in Hindi cinema. His appearance in Ishqnama signals a broadening of his screen presence beyond Bollywood.
Notably, Sachdeva is also preparing for his Hollywood debut in The Peasant, a revenge-action thriller headlined, directed, and co-written by Dev Patel. The dual debut — in Punjabi and Hollywood — marks an unusually active crossover phase for the actor.
Release and What to Expect
Ishqnama is set to arrive in theatres on 24 July 2025. With Shehnaaz Gill drawing significant fan attention and Jayy Randhawa bringing credibility within the Punjabi music and film space, the film carries considerable commercial expectations. Audiences will be watching closely to see whether Sachdeva's crossover gamble pays off on screen.
Point of View
Whose post-Bigg Boss fan base is fiercely loyal and digitally active, giving Ishqnama built-in marketing momentum. The simultaneous Hollywood announcement with Dev Patel's The Peasant positions Sachdeva as one of the more deliberately ambitious crossover stories in Indian cinema right now. Whether the on-screen chemistry with Gill translates at the box office will be the real test of this calculated leap.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ishqnama and when does it release?
Ishqnama is a Punjabi film directed by Arvvindr S. Khaira, starring Saurabh Sachdeva, Shehnaaz Gill, and Jayy Randhawa. It is scheduled to release in cinemas on 24 July 2025.
Why is Saurabh Sachdeva's casting in Ishqnama significant?
Ishqnama marks Sachdeva's first Punjabi film, making it a notable crossover from Hindi cinema for the actor known for his role in Animal. He has said he felt an instant connection with the story after hearing it from the director.
What did Saurabh Sachdeva say about working with Shehnaaz Gill?
Sachdeva said the scenes he shared with Gill are 'particularly powerful' and described their collaboration as 'honest and emotionally impactful'. He praised her ability to balance different shades of her character.
What is Saurabh Sachdeva's Hollywood debut?
Sachdeva is set to make his Hollywood debut in The Peasant, a revenge-action thriller headlined, directed, and co-written by Dev Patel. No release date has been announced yet.
Where was the Ishqnama teaser launched?
The teaser launch event for Ishqnama was held in Chandigarh, where Saurabh Sachdeva spoke about his experience joining the project and working with the cast and crew.
