‘Saada Haq’ producer to seek SGPC help in getting film released
AMRITSAR: The makers of the Punjabi film, ‘ Saada Haq’, will seek the help of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parb and hak Committee (SGPC) and if need be, even of the Akal Takht, for getting the movie cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification also known as the Censor Board.
The Mandeep Mann-directed movie which deals with the issue of terrorism in Punjab, was due for release on October 26. However, the Censor Board stopped its release on the grounds that “its contents are objectionable”.
Film producer, Kuljinder Sidhu, who was in the city on Saturday, has appealed to the SGPC to ‘use its influence’ for the release of the movie. He pointed out that the SGPC had blocked the release of ‘Singh is King’ and ‘ Son of Sardaar’ and it was only after the consent of the religious body that the two movies were released.
Talking to HT, Sidhu said, “We asked the Censor Board as to what was objectionable and got no concrete answer. They simply said that the subject matter was objectionable and that we had shown the police and administration in bad light.”
Sidhu claimed that the Board has objected to something that actually happened in Punjab. He went on to point out that various human rights groups have spoken about police atrocities and how the civil administration buckled under police pressure.
“We all know the way the police functioned during the period of terrorism and the numerous allegations of fake encounters against the cops. All these things have been shown in the movie,” he added.
He said that they had made an attempt to highlight the reasons that led to the problem.
“We have shown that this was not just a law-and-order problem. It was a problem related to Sikh identity and to the non-fulfillment of demands of Punjab. It also relates to the growing issue of unemployment and frustration among the youth. I have not justified terrorism or hailed those who took to the gun culture”, he added.
Kuljinder, who plays the lead role of a terrorist, pointed out that the ‘Macchis’, directed by Gulzar, also dealt with Punjab terrorism and showed the police in poor light. “No one banned that movie as probably it was directed by someone like Gulzar,” he added.
“Why did the Censor Board cleared ‘Chakravyuh’ and other films that dealt with the Naxal problem. Has not the system that exists been shown in poor light in these films. Why this discrimination against a Punjabi film that deals with Punjab and terrorism,” Sidhu said.
According to Sidhu, his film will now be viewed by a 9-member review committee of the board. The movie also stars Promod Mutho, Gaurav Kakkar and Dhriti Sharan, who played the lead in ‘Pure Punjabi’. This is Sidhu’s second Punjabi venture, having produced ‘Minni Punjab’ earlier.