Sikh Formaggio

In the heart of Northern Italy’s cheese-making region, a quiet revolution took place in the late 1990s. As young Italians left the demanding work of dairy farming behind, Sikh immigrants from Punjab arrived and stepped in—saving an iconic Italian tradition from collapse.

Sikh Formaggio tells the untold story of the Punjabi Sikh community that became the backbone of Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano production.

Through intimate interviews with workers like Onkar Singh and Inderjit Singh Bains, and the Italian farm owners who depend on them, the film reveals a remarkable bond built on trust, hard work, and mutual respect.

We follow the daily rhythm of life on the farms: milking starts at midnight, machines hum in the dark, and turbans are tied with pride amid the cows and cheese vats.

Workers share candidly about leaving Punjab, adapting to a new language and culture, the difficult choices some faced around identity and faith, and the quiet satisfaction of doing “clean, honest work” that Italians increasingly avoided. ” Today, nearly 16,000 Indian immigrants—most of them Sikh—keep Italy’s world-famous cheese industry alive.

But change is coming. The next generation of Sikh children are excelling in Italian schools and dreaming beyond the fields. Who will carry the tradition forward? Sikh Formaggio is a moving portrait of immigration, cultural exchange, resilience, and the unexpected ways communities sustain one another.

🎥 Directed by [Your Name/Production Company] 🌍 A story where Punjab meets Parma, and everyone wins. If you love stories of real people, cultural bridges, and the hidden hands behind the food we enjoy, watch now and share your thoughts in the comments.