Pawan is best remembered for his portrayal of Tiger Memon in "Black Friday", Kareena Kapoor's uncle in "Jab We Met" and as Narang in Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Don".
He was last seen as a coach in Farhan Akhtar starrer "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag".
"I am going to do my first Punjabi film and I am very excited about it. I am playing a cop in the film. It is a full fledged role," Pawan told PTI.
"1984 Punjab" is directed by Anurag Singh, who had made "Dil Bole Haddipa". He has also directed two hit Punjabi films "Jatt and Juliet" and its part two.
The actor will begin shooting for the film in September.