Gippy Grewal's latest film Akaal, which released in theatres on April 10, has courted a major controversy as it has been accused of showing the Sikh community in a negative and disrespectful light. Former president of Khalistan Mission Front, Baba Bakshish Singh, has accused the film of hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs and has threatened the makers with dire consequences if action is not taken against some objectionable scenes.
Singh claimed that the film shows Sikh characters consuming alcohol and tobacco. Not just that, but it also shows some Sikhs as 'mundit' (with shaved heads), he said.
"If Gippy Grewal’s film is based on Sikh warriors like Hari Singh Nalua or Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, then they should be shown with full reverence and dignity," Singh told IANS.
Singh went on to claim that the government was supporting filmmakers "whose motive is to undermine Sikh history", and threatened that he would not let such films release in theatres henceforth.
Post his threats, Singh was detained by the Patiala police. Meanwhile, the makers of Akaal are yet to issue an official statement on the controversy.
Akaal also stars Gurpreet Ghuggi and Nimrat Khaira in key roles. The film is set in Punjab of 1840s, and it tells the tale of Sardar Akaal Singh, who defended his village from Jangi Jahan after the death of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.
Akaal has been produced by Karan Johar. Before the film's release, Gippy opined that Akaal's story was not just meant for Punjab, but should be known for the entire country, and thus, they decided to join hands with KJo to release the film on a larger scale in the Hindi market as well.
