Radical Sikh group Dal Khalsa on Wednesday asked Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to intervene and stop the release of the film 'Nanak Shah Fakir'.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the mini-parliament of Sikh religious affairs, has also objected to the release of the film.
The Dal Khalsa has submitted a memorandum to the Jathedar (head) of Akal Takht, the high seat of Sikh religious affairs, to issue an edict against the producer for withdrawal of the film.
Dal Khalsa head Harcharnjit Singh Dhami said it was unfortunate that the Akal Takht and SGPC were trying to pass the buck to each other on the issue of the controversial film.
"It's time to think and not allow the movie to be released as it has the potential to undermine the fundamental beliefs of Sikhism and open the floodgates for others to portray Guru Sahib and their family members in whatever way they like," Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwarpal Singh said.
Reasserting that the said movie was an assault on the fundamental tenets of the Sikh religion, he further said Sikhs cannot allow denigration of their religion in pictorial or other forms.
Contesting the claims of filmmaker Harinder Singh Sikka, he said: "Even the depiction and personification of Guru Sahib through animation was unacceptable and intolerable."
Demand to ban 'Nanak Shah Fakir' plain politics: Producer
Amid the demand to ban the film "Nanak Shah Fakir" -- a biopic on Guru Nanak -- its producer Harinder Singh Sikka says the whole episode is driven by some political agenda.
Radical Sikh group Dal Khalsa on Wednesday asked Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to intervene and stop the release of the film, which is slated to hit the screens on April 17.
"Our film, 'Nanak Shah Fakir' was ready much before the release of 'Chaar Sahibzaade'. Of course we added many scenes later and re-edited the film as well. I showed the film to all members of Darbar Sahib and received written support from them before bringing it to public domain.
"What is happening now is plain politics and pressure tactics by fringe elements who were also against the release of 'Chaar Sahibzaade'," Sikka said in a statement.
Directed by Harry Baweja, "Chaar Sahibzaade" was a 2014 animated historical film on the sacrifices of the sons of the 10th guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.
Talking about the issue, Sikka added: "It is therefore sad that select people wish to make his teachings as an intellectual property or play politics even if some one is trying to spread his message selflessly".
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the mini-parliament of Sikh religious affairs, has also objected to the release of the film, saying that it is an assault on the fundamental tenets of the Sikh religion.
“Nanak Shah Fakir”, which is based on the life and teachings of the first Sikh guru, garnered a lot of appreciation at the Cannes Film Festival and the Sikh Film Festivals at Toronto and Los Angeles.
However, Sikka also says that some people want to make Guru Nanak's teachings as an “intellectual property” and are trying to “play politics” with it.
He added that the money made by the film will be used for the good of society.
"It is pertinent to mention that no income from this pious project shall come to our house. It shall but be used as a seva for sarvdharm (as is done in Guru ka langar). I would not like to comment on why is this select group changing it's mind, especially when I have received tremendous support from all quarters, both within and across the globe”," he added.
This kind of demand is not new as the SGPC sought a ban on films like "Son of Sardaar", "Jo Bole So Nihaal" and most recently "MSG: The Messenger".
Meanwhile, the film's music was launched in the capital on Tuesday by Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman and veteran vocalist Pandit Jasraj.
