A day after the Punjab Government banned Punjabi movie Sadda Haq followed by Chandigarh Administration and Haryana Government on Friday, the team of the movie demanded the constitution of a panel of intellectuals to take a final call. The team also declared that it would be challenging the ban in a court of law.
Terming “unfortunate” the State Government’s decision for banning the film on the eve of its release, Dinesh Sood, co-producer of the movie demanded that a committee of intellectuals should be formed, which may include the experts, writers, artists, varsity professors, representatives from the religious group, “to see the movie, followed by debate on its contents, and then take a final decision on it.
Produced by Kuljinder Sidhu, Sadda Haq movie was scheduled to release on Friday after clearing several hurdles. Sidhu, however, was not present to address the media on the issue as he was busy in preparing the petition to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court following ban imposed by the governments of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh.
Declaring that the “objectionable part” was deleted from the movie after the objections by the censor board, Sood said that the Board has, in fact, awarded the film “U” certificate — meant to be shown to people of all groups. Defending the content of the movie, Sood added, “Even though the movie is related to the dark days of militancy in Punjab, the movie gives a message. The message is that in today’s time, there is no need for anyone to pick up arms as there are other ways to raise your voice.”
The ban was announced on late Thursday evening by the Punjab government “to maintain communal harmony in the state,” an official spokesman said. The movie was screened at Punjab Bhawan by the film producers on Thursday evening, to get the approval from a team of IAS and IPS officers, comprising Principal Secretary to CM SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary (Home) DS Bains, Additional Director General of Police Hardeep Dhillon and Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh. The censor board too was of the opinion that the film projected a pro-Khalistan emotion, which could create law and order problems in Punjab. A board member felt the movie had huge anti-India sentiment and it wanted some scenes deleted.
Then there is a song in the film titled “Baghi” (meaning rebel). Sung by Punjabi singer Jazzy B, it praises three militant leaders for their bravery and rebellious attitude. Another song, “Dabb de killi” or pull the trigger is also being as dubbed provocative.
Its producer-cum-actor Sidhu’s own experience with the movement adds another dimension to the issue. His elder brother Goldie joined the militant ranks only to be gunned down by security forces in 1992.
Sikh organisations, such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, however, feel there is nothing wrong with the movie and it has nothing that would create friction in society.
The movie transports you back to mid 1980s and mid ’90s, one of the most turbulent periods for Punjab. It was during this period that the State saw the rise and fall of the Khalistan movement. The plot is placed in post 1984 and mid-90s period, when Sikh youth took up arms.