Censor & sensibility

Jasmine Singh

The row over the release over Nanak Shah Fakir, a film based on the first Sikh guru had led Akal Takht to constitute the Sikh Film Censor Board. And, now filmmakers have to seek approval from the board before making a film, documentary, animation movie or feature on a subject related to Sikh religion and history.

The SFCB has 21 members, who will scrutinise every aspect of the script and submit its report to the Akal Takht for final approval. 

The news has of course brought out a mixed reaction from filmmakers, theatrepersons and documentary filmmakers, who look at this board as a two-edged sword, which might help to represent Sikh religion without any distortion, and one that can also scare filmmakers from making films on this subject. 

Cinematic sensibilities

Shares Punjabi film director, lyricist, poet and art activist Amardeep Singh Gill, who is in favour of the decision to an extent, “As a filmmaker, I wouldn’t want to see distortion of Sikh religion or history in movies or plays, but at the same time I want to suggest that the board should ensure that it has members on board who have an understanding of cinema.” Amardeep feels it is one thing to have a thorough knowledge about religion, and another to be able to understand cinematic sensibilities as well. 

“I just hope this body operates effectively because SGPC couldn’t make up its mind during the release of Nanak Shah Fakir, they appreciated the producer of the film at one time, later they banned the same film.”

While the controversy behind Nanak Shah Fakir did lead to this decision, Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said the decision to constitute the SFCB has been taken due to controversies over films on Sikh Gurus and distorted Sikh history. 

Flippant stand

However, what most filmmakers are questioning is SGPC’s own flippant stand. At one time, SGPC had pushed for the release of Saada Haq, a Punjabi film on militancy, but later they regretted this decision.

“The past record of the body itself has been doubtful,” adds known theatreperson Sahib Singh, who sees two possibilities emerging from the decision. “This might just discourage people from touching Sikh religion as a subject for movies. Already, there aren’t many people doing this and now there will be even less now. The second possibility is that it will be a good step to curb distortion of religion and Sikh characters only if the board operates in a transparent manner.” Sahib Singh would ideally want the board members to consult Sikh scholars, and at the same time, take into account a filmmaker’s perspective. “Sikh religion should not be distorted at any cost, however, the board should not behave in a fanatic and dictatorial manner; they should rather adopt a democratic approach.” 

Already a board

Many from the industry have serious doubts about the ‘operational strategy’ of the new board. Actors like Deep Sidhu, who recently took his film Saade Aala to Cannes Film Festival, doesn’t understand the need to have an extra censor board when there’s already a Central Board Of Film Certification. “This ‘one’ Censor Board stands for all cultures, religions and beliefs. Why do we need a separate censor of films for us? I don’t understand how I would make a film if I have to approach 10 different bodies?” 

When it comes to the board and how it plans to function, no clear-cut instructions have been stated yet. SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur, who is also a member of Sikh Film Censor Board, doesn’t call it as an easy job at hand. “We are living in intolerant times; earlier what used to go unnoticed now becomes an issue. We would only look forward to cooperation from the CBFC to maintain harmony in society.” 

Actor Kuljinder Sidhu of Saada Haq-fame completely supports the decision; in fact he claims to have received a lot of support from SGPC during the release of his film Saada Haq. “It is a much-needed step; we have to understand this from the point of a view of a Sikh. We wouldn’t want to see anyone distorting or disturbing our religious sensibilities and the board will ensure the same.”