PTC Punjabi has entered into a major collaboration with Australian production house Temple to co-present three Punjabi-language feature films under the Australia–India Audiovisual Co-Production Treaty, marking one of the largest regional-language partnerships forged through the bilateral agreement.

The move positions Australia as a strategic launchpad for Punjabi cinema’s growing global ambitions, with the films set for release across India, Australia and New Zealand over the next 18 months.

According to The Variety, the co-production pact grants the projects access to Australia’s federal and state screen incentives, including grants and rebates, while utilising Australian crews, talent, locations and post-production facilities.

Temple will oversee all Australian co-production requirements, treaty compliance and local studio collaborations, while PTC Punjabi will lead Indian-side creative development, production and distribution.

The partnership brings together three independent producers from PTC Punjabi’s slate, each investing in and supervising the creative process, with Forum attached as the theatrical distributor for the Australia–New Zealand region.

The collaboration arrives at a time when Indian-language films, including Punjabi titles, have begun outperforming local Australian productions at the domestic box office. This surge has prompted Indian producers to view Australia as both a viable production ecosystem and a key gateway for international distribution. The agreement reflects this shift, signalling deeper industry engagement between the two countries.

“Punjabi cinema is ready for its global leap, and Australia gives us the perfect runway. With Temple this partnership is not just about making films – it’s about making history. Punjabi stories deserve the world, and together with Australia, we’re going to take them there with confidence, scale and pride,” said Rajiee M. Shinde, CEO of PTC Entertainment Channels. Temple founder Anupam Sharma echoed the sentiment, calling the treaty a “game-changer” and highlighting Australia’s world-class crews, studios, incentives and distribution reach as catalysts for Punjabi cinema’s global expansion.

The alliance represents a significant infusion of investment into Australia’s screen sector, especially in Victoria and New South Wales, and strengthens the country’s growing relationship with India’s regional film industries. PTC Network, which operates PTC Punjabi as one of the world’s leading Punjabi-language entertainment platforms, sees the agreement as a major step in elevating Punjabi storytelling on a global scale.

The three-film partnership was officially unveiled at the WAVES Film Bazaar, the industry market of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, drawing considerable attention from both Indian and international industry stakeholders.