SGPC calls ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’ producer, he says too late now
AMRITSAR:THE row over the movie ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’, scheduled for an April 13 release, continues as a new sub-committee constituted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to review it over objections to depiction of the first Sikh guru has asked the producer, Harinder Sikka, to appear before it in its meeting set for Saturday. But Sikka told HT that he will not be able to attend, and added that he now would not be able to hold back the release.
The row is escalating even as the SGPC first approved the movie and backtracked as some organisations raised objections. Sikhism prohibits bodily depiction of the gurus, though the movie’s makers have underlined that the figure shown in it — as evident in the trailer — has not been given a human form beyond an outline using special effects.
The eight-member committee constituted on Friday will conduct a meeting at the SGPC headquarters. SGPC assistant secretary Simarjit Singh, who is coordinator of the committee, said a letter has been sent to the producer for the meeting, asking him to appear over “objections raised by the sangat (community)”.
When contacted, Sikka said he has received the letter but the panel has not told him what the agenda is. He said he will not be able to attend the meeting as he is travelling for the promotion of the movie. he argued that he is “helpless” now. “The SGPC’S move to withdraw the clearance will hit its own credibility. In future, nobody will trust it. Is it fair that you withdraw clearance long after first according it? Do you know how much loss a person has to bear? I can tolerate the loss as I made this film to propagate teachings of Sikhism. But what about those who are in it for business? I am not alone in deciding whether or not to release the movie.” He added, “I will try to convince the SGPC by making them aware of all these aspects.”
The SGPC had constituted two committees earlier and then the latest one after sections of Sikh circles raised objections over the clearance. Some organisations, primarily hardliners, objected as letters issued by SGPC authorities to gurdwara managers and education institutes to facilitate the film’s promotion went viral on social media. Initially, the SGPC defended itself by citing a go-ahead given by its sub-committee on March 28. It took a U-turn the next day.
Shiromani Akali Dal (A) president Simranjit Singh Mann, speaking in Muktsar, on Friday demanded a ban on the movie.