Depiction of prophets in films

Fact of the matter about the film "Nanak Shah Fakir" is that there are two parallel perspectives running together. I think there was some sort of team-work between the film-makers, SGPC and Akal Takhat about what to show in which part of the world. What news to telecast on which channel in which country. The film had been called-off within a week after its release from all the screens across the world as it didn't get the anticipated response and even the esteemed Indian newspapers like "The Tribune" had given it only two stars. But there are a few things that need to be pin-pointed after this whole episode. Firstly, the problem with the hardliners is that they are not ready to accept the fact that the 10 sikh gurus were human beings and whoever tries to bring them on a human platform gets bashed by them. And, the problem with the film makers is that they try and capitalize on everything be it sex, violence, religion, suspense, thriller etc. and this is where the intentions of the film-makers were clear after the over-whelming commercial success of the animated film "Chaar Sahibzaade".

Usually, hardliners claim that such film-makers aren't sensitive enough to the subject and often cross the line while depicting the revered gurus on screen but I would rather rubbish this claim by stating the fact that the director cum producer was a sikh himself and had done a respectable amount of research on the subject and has taken the institutions like Akal Takhat and SGPC into confidence as shown in the beginning of the film itself. We mustn't forget that a film like PK which challenged the religious doctrines made around 300 crore and its over-seas collection was around 500 crores. Guru Nanak's message wasn't far away from that of PK 547 years ago, as even he challenged the dogmas of the established religions of that time to start a new philosophy.

Personally I feel that Guru Nanak himself won't have any problems with any human being who perceives him as a rational, practical and a logical human being with extraordinary wisdom. Nor will Guru Nanak have any issues with the person who has a mythologized image of his divine being. It is simply the working of the left-side (masculine part) and right-side (feminine part) of a human brain. Your intellectual perceptions equally matter about the guru just like your feelings for him.

Now if we stop living in denial, it won't be wrong to say that the Sikh gurus were the carnal manifestation of a divine power. Undoubtedly, they had supernatural powers like the other prophets and messiahs, but then what is the problem with depicting them on-screen ?? I would like to quote here about some of the films and soap operas depicting prophets and Messiahs cutting across various religions.

Rmayana ---(depicting)---> Lord Rama

Om Nama Shivaaya ------> Lord Shiva, (also other Indian demigods like Vishnu, Brahman etc.)

Mahabharata -----> Lord Krishna

Exodus- Gods and Kings -------> Prophet Moses

King of Kings --------> Jesus Christ

The Gospel ---------> Jesus Christ

Budhadev ------> Lord Budha (various other projects as well)
Bhagwaan Mahavira -------> Lord Mahavira

Only till Feb 2015 Prophet Mohammad was never portrayed on screen but it was done by an Iranian film-maker in his project "Mohammad- The messenger of God" where the prophet's human manifestation was enacted by an actor whose face was never shown. Was "Nanak Shah Fakir" inspired from it ?? I hope we'll get the answers soon. 

Punjabiyat, Sikhi and Films

There is no denying the fact that the three things that have been mentioned in the title need to be synchronized in order to bring out a synergy which results in the benefit of all. But one thing is sure that where the dichotomy of "Being a sikh" and "Being a Punjabi" haunts the masses, I find films to be a very effective way to resolve the conflict as an individual can be either one or both. Though I'm not writing this article for the sake of any political mobilization on religious or ethnic grounds but I'm doing it in order to resolve the much exaggerated controversy which has been made to look invincible by the people who're problem-creators instead of problem-solvers. With the increasing dependence on media by the industry, politics, business, education, entertainment etc., religion cannot stay behind to show its dependence on the media and advanced technology. For those friends who excessively advocate spirituality, I want to say that one can give a better sermon and address a larger number of people using a mike. Also the telecast of Gurbani Kirtanfrom Golden Temple, Amritsar, by a few TV channels, has facilitated the lives of sikh sangats throughout the world. I mean to say that dependence on technology is inevitable and its judicious use can definitely expedite the attainment of the goals whether religious or political.

Now coming back to the core issue of projection of Sikhs in the film industry, I must say that there's no problem at all as a huge industry like Bollywood hasn't been invincible for Sikhs. People like Dharmendra, Neetu Singh, Simi Garewal have been able to enjoy a strong presence in bollywood. Hollywood, though the BEST in the world hasn't enjoyed the contribution of a mainstream sikh and also seems too egotistical about itself as recently a big shot like Tom Hanks played down on even bollywood and a celebrity like Amitabh Bachchan when he recently addressed an NDTV reporter. But the point remains that projection of "SAABAT SURAT SIKHS" (Sikhs with turban & uncut hair) has been a very controversial issue in any film industry whether it is Hollywood, bollywood or the unnamed Punjabi film industry.

There have been some recent films like Dharti and the Lions of Punjab that have impressed people by the content and the concept that they've been centered around. "Dharti" is a political drama where an IAF pilot from a political elitist family makes a comeback to cleanup the corrupt political system in Punjab and avenge the death of his brother out of a politically motivated conspiracy. "The Lion of Punjab" is a typical entertainer based upon the real-life problem of the spread of cancer in the MALWA area of Punjab and Diljit has done a good job to glorify turban, if we look beyond his trimmed beard, and has also looked very cute in a turban. This film has also has reflected a corrupt political system in Punjab and the protagonist cleans-up the system in this film too. These two films remind of the Bollywood films of 1990's which clearly show that the industry is in the process of evolution.

So! The need of the hour is to come up with an industry that can synergize the Punjabism and Sikhism and such industry should focus on the projects centered around realistic subjects addressing the issues of the modern and post-modern society. Now! I just hope that I've laid some sort of ground for the intellectuals to brainstorm about and the influential people to decide about. Though I'm always there for the saadh-sangat for any suggestion or to pour in any thought to the much-awaited think tank about this subject. I must say that the Sikhnet annual film festival is doing a tremendous job. In fact, if we look at the larger picture, it could grow to become the much needed full-fledged film industry. I would request saadh-sangat to kindly pour in some thoughts on this very relevant issue that needs to be addressed asap.

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh!!

Singh is Kinng! - a film review

Is Singh actually a Kinng... or the height of Bollywood's sarcasm?

With the release of the film Singh is Kinngh, Bollywood has retained its reputation of being anti-sikh and ethnically offensive to the Sikh religion. Akshay Kumar plays the role of a turbaned Sikh from a small village. Turbaned Sikh!?! Or a Sikh who wears a readymade cap throughout the entire film that simply looks like a turban?

This film propagates the comical image of a Sikh as a buffoon - the image which has been used in other Bollywood films as well. It portrays his backwardness and uncivilized behaviour as an inseparable part of the Sikh community. The film is a complete disaster with regard to portrayal of the divinity and the elegance of of a "Pooran Gursikh."

In the initial part of the film, Akshay walks around with a shabby unshaven beard and wears an untidy turban while the co-stars, Om Puri and some others, are shown clean-shaven with turbans. It's just the beginning, and it already looks bad. They remind you of those Punjabi singers who come and go all the time. The ones who themselves live as "patits" while they loudly sing the praises of Sikhism.

This shameful day was inevitable since we've tolerated our own boys and girls destroying the Sikhi swaroops and moulding them according to their own personal requirements. Anybody who is clean-shaven or trims his beard, or has a haircut but wears a turban over it, or who leaves his beard unshaven as a show to the rest of the world - or any other person, who, having turned his back on his Guru, considers himself to be equal to, or sometimes even superior to a baptized pooran Gursikh.

The film is a purely a commercial "masala film" that has been made to earn money at the expense of others' religious sentiments, which I find highly objectionable. There are only a few scenes in the film where Akhshay has tied a stiff and smart turban but most of the time he's wearing a big cap that looks somewhat like a turban.

Putting religion aside, the film, if looked at from the point of view of an ordinary cosmopolitan person is a "watch it once" entertainment with a sarcastic sense of humour. But if you are seeing it through the eyes of a pooran Gursikh, it may hurt a lot since the visual identity of the Sikhs portrayed in this film is highly offensive and taking it in through your eyes gives a poisonous stimulus to the brain. I got the feeling that the makers of this film are not genuinely Sikh-friendly at all, but have simply tried to make friends with Sikhs to capitalize on the Sikh identity. The film demonstrates the real lack of knowledge of the film-makers regarding the ethnic and moral values of Sikhs including our turbans and unshorn hair.

A song in the film has been shot with Javed Jaafree where he has just danced and left his hair lose. This reminds of a young Cricketer from our own community letting his hair lose to advertize a brand of liquor. This act of his was highly opposed by the Sikh hardliners and those signboards were forced to be removed from the roadside and those advertisements banned as he belongs to our own community. What's wrong these people now?

The only way the film may have have done some good is in terms of mass awareness. The title itself is quite persuasive and compelling which arouses a curiosity in the audience to go and see what it is that makes a Singh a King. It must have impressed the portion of the population which is ignorant about Sikhi, even those of knowledge worker age, but people who have the knowledge and love of Sikhi won't learn anything new.

Really, I can't rate it more than one star out of five

Fortunately, there was no direct negativity or blasphemy done in the film against Sikhism but just the usual obnoxious sense of humour which has again indirectly targeted the naivete or ingenuousness of sikhs, and which I must rate as idiotic.

There's a scene in the film where Akhsay says that, "Sikhs are made to serve others". Does that mean Sikhs should serve all no matter what they do? Sikhs should serve people even if they crush their dreams, self-esteem and even their independent identity? Bollywood tries its best to prove Sikhism as an offshoot of Hinduism which was the very reason for the 1984 protests. This raises a lot of questions about the Indian film industry and India itself.

Is India a safe land for Sikhs where their rights and their identity can be protected? Is India a truly multi-religious nation or it is just HINDUSTAN?

I just want to put forth my own point of view and give a wake-up call to our community to distinguish between those who really care about Sikhi and those who don't.

I feel that we are being victimized by the media. Every time this happens, we rationalize it by calling those people fanatics who really stand for our rights and the pride in our Divine visual identity blessed to us by Dashmesh pitaah.

May GOD bless all and may we all enjoy the reign of Khalsa soon.
 
-An Ordinary Sikh

Speedy Singhs Debuts ~ light, frothy entertainment

The formula for films with sports backdrop is usually the same; the underdogs making it to limelight. It depends a lot on how one goes about such a film and makes it acceptable since not many sport movies do well.


Speedy Singhs counts on three factors: a bunch of Sikh Canadians in Toronto wanting to excel at ice hockey without compromising their religious beliefs, a cross culture romance and comedy.

A bunch of Sikhs settled in Canada are by hobby ice hockey players with aspirations to play the local Honda Cup, but are not confident or qualified enough. Their daily hockey routine is observed by Russel Peters who takes note of at least one of these boys, a turban-less Sikh, Vinay Virmani, who has the spark to match any professional player.

Peters takes it upon himself to coach this bunch and make a competent hockey team out of it. Even as the boys improve on their hockey, they learn some truths of the game the hard way. One being the violence in the game and the other, the usual discrimination inflicted on these boys for being 'different'.

The film depicts the life of Sikhs in Canada, mostly keeping to themselves and adhering to every ritual as if in Punjab, creating their own little world there. As such, Anupam Kher, a traditional Sikh father, and his son Vinay Virmani are always at loggerheads.

Already upset that his son has done away with his hair and turban, he wants him to be active in his younger brother's, Gurpreet Ghuggi, trucking business instead of wasting his time on hockey. The other track is of romance between Vinay Virmani and Camilla Belle, the coach's sister.

The story being almost on the same lines as the recent Akshay Kumar film Patiala House (Akshay Kumar is one of the backers of this film and also makes a cameo), where Speedy Singhs stands apart is in its sincere depiction. It is a light, frothy entertainer. The director Robert Lieberman doesn't go overboard, neither in the romance part nor in the depiction of Sikh community. The film has a natural feel about it.

Vinay Virmani is a natural talent, just cut out for the role he plays. Camilla Belle is a perfect foil. Anupam Kher being the known face, others who excel are Russel Peters, Sakina Jaffrey, Gurpreet Singh, Rob Lowe and Noureen Dewulf.

Music is generally Punjabi flavour. Dialogue is witty.

After a lot of discussions, debates, protests and struggle about the projection of Sikhs and sikh identity in the film-industry, we have a project that has perfectly depicted the present scenario of sikh youth and their attitude towards their religion and culture. Though, it hasn’t been able to demarcate a very delicate difference between religion (sikhism) and ethnicity (punjabiyat). But, on a positive note, it can be considered as a big leap towards the right projection of turbaned Sikhs in the film industry.

The actual message of the film is that “boys will be boys” whether they’re turbaned, bearded or clean-shaven and if their youth finds the right channel, it can do wonders not only for themselves but for the entire community. Not only this, the film has successfully touched the sensitive corners of the hearts of people who’ve dedicated themselves to the sikh way of life. The phrase like: “Brothers from different mothers” was indeed very-very touching when their coach asks the boys whether they’re brothers after knowing their common surname “Singhs”.

Another trans-religion aspect has been touched in a very sensitive way which was technically right and made perfect sense and that was “Racial Discrimination”, when the younger brother of the protagonist locks himself in his room and wants to chop-off his hair after being assaulted from a few schoolmates, and the protagonist advises him not to get his hair cut as that would not finish the problem of discrimination and expresses his own guilt for giving up his hair.

At the individual level, the film would encourage youngsters to be disciplined mavericks as the protagonist chooses to stick to his call i.e. playing Ice-hockey, despite continuous resistance from his father. Traditionally, in our Indian or Punjabi culture, rebellious kids are considered to be a burden but the film gives a ray of hope to the parents to keep expectations from such kids.

The film is very realistic in its presentation as the “Speedy Singhs” team did manage to win the semi-finals without the contribution of the protagonist, unlike, typical Bollywood projects where the lead actor is next to almighty. Only the last match where the Speedy Singhs use warrior-helmets instead of their sports gear to cover their heads, does depict that the author has gone an extra-mile with creativity.

But overall, it is a great entertainment which has been very well sensitized across different cultures and Akshay Kumar deserves full credit for producing such a promising project.

Alas, Speedy Singhs will not last long enough for word of mouth to help it; lack of promotion and face value sink its prospects. The makers' hopes rest in the international version, Breakaway, that is due for release on 30 September.