Film on local ‘Robin Hood’ to hit cinemas soon

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 4

Nearly 12 years after the brutal murder of notorious gangster Rupinder Singh Gandhi, a film on his life ‘Rupinder Gandhi – The Gangster..?’ will hit cinema screens on September 11.

The film has polarised opinions in Khanna with some saying it will promote gun culture and violence. On the other hand, others say Gandhi, who was also the sarpanch of Rasulra village, was the Robin Hood of the area.

“We are not trying to promote anything. It is for the audience to decide for themselves,” said writer-cum-director Taran Mann.

Gandhi has had a huge following, especially among the youth. During his college days, he had formed Gandhi Group of Students Union (GGSU) that participated in student elections. Even after his death, his supporters made a Facebook account with 5,000 friends.

This isn’t the first time Gandhi’s life has been thrust into the limelight. Earlier, his supporters made Punjabi songs glorifying Gandhi.

Patronised by politicians and police officers, Rupinder Singh Gandhi entered into student politics. His gang propagated gun culture. His gang was involved in several ugly fights and killings. He faced over 24 criminal cases in Khanna, Chandigarh and other parts of the state.

The Gandhi gang made news following the killing of Amritpal Singh, who had been a member of GGSU, in Muktsar.

Khanna Youth Akali Dal (Rural) president Yadwinder Singh Yadu, who has been charged with killing a 21-year-old youth of Gosla village, was a close aide of Gandhi. Rupinder Singh Ganghi was kidnapped from Samrala Road, near Naulari village, on September 5, 2003, when he was going to Bagli village with his friend Harpreet Singh. Gandhi was brutally murdered by rival group Pehalwaan. The accused took him to Saloudi village, where his arms and legs were broken. He was then shifted to Bassi town. He was hanged from a tree and shot twice. The accused then tied his hands and threw him into the Bhakra canal. The Pehalwaan group killed Gandhi as his men killed a member of their group.

His death had led to a massive protest. Khanna witnessed gang wars and kidnappings till the time Gandhi’s killers were arrested.

Movie on Sukha, Jinda too set for release

Amritsar: After a series of controversies and delays, Punjabi film “The Mastermind-Jinda Sukha” is all set for release on September 11.  The film has been produced by Australia-based Singh Brothers production and is based on Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha, who were awarded capital punishment in 1992 for the assassination of General AS Vaidya in the aftermath of Operation Bluestar. In city, Director Sukhjinder Singh Sehra said, “The film is not being made with any political motive or intention to hurt anyone. It will be a screen depiction of the lives of the two protagonists before they became assassins.”