Four days after release, ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’ taken off theatres

Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 21

Four days after its release in the country and abroad, the makers of controversial film “Nanak Shah Fakir” have decided to withdraw it following the directions of the Akal Takht. The Punjab Government had already suspended its screening for two months following a row over the movie.

Film’s producer Harinder Singh Sikka said, “Yes, I am withdrawing the movie. I have gracefully agreed to follow the directions of the Akal Takht despite the fact that the movie is running to packed houses in various theatres.”

When asked as to why he didn’t do it earlier, he said, “I had stated five days back also that if there were any objections to my movie I am ready to hold/withdraw it. However, the Akal Takht Jathedar was out of country and therefore it was not possible. He returned to India this morning and I had a meeting with him. He told me that some changes need to be made in the movie and I agreed to it. At the same time, the Jathedar said the movie has been made with great passion and faith.” He said the Akal Takht would constitute a panel that would watch the film all over again and advise him on the changes to be made in the movie.

Sikka said, “Lakhs of people have seen the film which is running in 40 countries and all of them are praising it. There is not even a single person who is not commending the movie. However, I can show you thousands who haven’t seen it but are condemning it. It is quite unfortunate that the people in our country believe in rumours.” He also wondered as to why the SGPC didn’t write a single mail to him if they had any objections in the movie and they wanted some changes to be made. He concluded by saying, “Sikhs do not have enemies, we are our worst enemies.”

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said he returned from Muscat today itself and met Sikka in Delhi in the presence of Sikh intellectuals. “I told him to withdraw the movie, which he has accepted. The movie will now release only after the objectionable content is removed.” He said he would soon direct the SGPC to constitute a committee that would point out objectionable content so that it could be removed before the movie was approved and released afresh. On the other hand, radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa, which spearheaded a campaign against the controversial movie, said by withdrawing it, Sikka “has tried to save face and skin”.

Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh said, “Wisdom has dawned on the film-maker though a little too late. He will have to repent and pay for hurting the sentiments of the Sikhs and not listening to umpteen calls of reason. This is also a lesson for the sleeping Government of India and the CBFC that cleared the movie, ignoring its blasphemous features.”