SC clears Nanak film, but producer won’t release it in Punjab
THE FILM’S PRODUCER HARINDER SINGH SIKKA, HOWEVER, HAS DECIDED NOT TO RELEASE THE FILM IN PUNJAB WHERE IT FACED THE WRATH OF THE SIKH COMMUNITY
AMRITSAR: The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the decks for the release of the controversial film, Nanak Shah Fakir, on April 13 and criticised the apex religious body of the Sikhs, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for imposing restrictions on the film.
The film’s producer Harinder Singh Sikka, however, has decided not to release the film in Punjab where it faced the wrath of the Sikh community.
A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, said, “Once the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) grants permission to a film, no one has the right to stop its public screening.”
The top court also ordered the state governments to ensure peaceful release and screening of the film.
The petition in the apex court was filed by the film’s producer, who claimed that the SGPC had banned the release of the film, based on the life and teachings of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev, even after the CBFC cleared it on March 28.
Commenting on the rising tendency of some associations to block the release of films, the court said, “If such activities are encouraged, the same has the potential to bring in anarchy and cripple the right of freedom of speech and expression. In any case, such bodies, groups or individuals cannot assume the position as if they are the authorities to grant certificate or unless they feel that the movie is to be released, it should not see the light of the day.”
While speaking to Hindustan Times over phone, Sikka said, “I didn’t make the film for profit. I wanted to propagate teachings of Guru Nanak.”
He also claimed to have held deliberations with the SGPC on various issues relating to the movie and, as suggested, carried out necessary modification.
“If there is dissatisfaction and outrage among the masses in Punjab over this movie, what is the use of releasing it here?” he said.