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Gippy Grewal's latest Punjabi film Akaal, which was released in theaters on April 10, has caused backlash for a few reasons, despite receiving mostly positive reviews from viewers and critics.
As per a report by the news agency IANS, the movie has attracted backlash from several members of the Sikh community who claim that the movie misrepresents the community.
Senior Sikh leader Baba Bakshish Singh has sharply criticized the film for portraying Sikh characters in the disrespectful act of drinking, smoking, or dressed as cut Sikhs (‘Mundit’).
Such depictions, Singh said, not only breach the boundaries of tolerance as far as religious representations are concerned, but also tarnish the reputation of the community, especially when the film seems to base itself on Sikh historical figures or themes.
Singh also called for a blanket ban on such films in the entire state of Punjab. If such portrayals continue, he argues, that would defeat the purpose of depicting history. If a film claims to showcase the great Sikh fighters Hari Singh Nalwa or Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Singh states, the filmmakers have an obligation to treat them with the dignity and reverence they deserve.
The situation became more tense when Baba Bakshish Singh went on to say that the government was assisting the filmmakers with the so-called motives of ‘s-landering’ the Sikh History. It is reported that subsequently he was detained by Punjab police.
Akaal is set in 1840 and incorporates stunning narrative about Punjab. The film centers around Sardar Akaal Singh, a righteous leader, and his fellow villagers’ resolve in the midst of a brutal and relentless siege led by Jangi Jahan. This conflict occurs after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The film’s multi-feature includes Nimrat Khaira, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Nikitin Dheer, Shinda Grewal, Ekom Grewal, Jaggi Singh, Mita Vashisht, och Ashish Duggal, Bhana La, Harinder Bhullar, Jarnail Singh. All of whom portray diverse yet powerful sides of the tale. The undertaking has been supported by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.
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