The entire community felt targeted as a result of a string of films that continuously mocked the Sikh identity. However, things have taken a different turn this time, and it wasn't due to the efforts of the SGPC or community leaders. Instead, it was the local Sikhs in Mumbai who decided to directly confront the producer of the movie "Singh is King." The outcome of this initiative has been incredibly successful.
Whether it's the movie Bole So Nihal, Sadiyyan, Haste Haste, or any other film, it appears to be a common practice to mock and belittle the Sikh turban and beard. This was evident in the movie Singh is King, directed by Vipul Shah and featuring Akshay Kumar. The Sikh community was deeply disturbed by the insensitivity of both the community leaders and the SGPC, who remained silent despite having the means and a prosecution committee to take action against any form of anti-Sikh content.
The Mumbai Sikhs deserve credit for their proactive approach to addressing the issue. They engaged in productive discussions with Vipul Shah, the producer of the film. As a result of these negotiations, Vipul Shah provided an affidavit duly sworn acknowledging an error in the script of the movie "SINGH IS KING." Specifically, the mistake involved showing Akshay Kumar, the lead actor, with a trimmed beard in a few scenes. To rectify this error, Vipul Shah agreed to film an additional sequence where Akshay Kumar realizes his mistake of trimming his beard and ultimately grows a full, untrimmed beard.
Vipul Shah, in his affidavit, promised to seek approval from the community before releasing the film. Additionally, he confirmed that only posters featuring Akshay Kumar with a fully grown beard would be promoted, while those with an untrimmed beard would not be marketed.
This accomplishment is largely credited to the Mumbai Sikhs, including Gurbachan Singh Bachan, a former Secretary of SGPC who is now in Mumbai, as well as Kulwant Singh, Davinder Singh, Parbinder Singh, Jaspal Singh, and others.
During a conversation with IHRO Vipul Shah, the film producer emphasized that his intention was never to malign Sikhs and that he holds a deep respect for the community. He also expressed his surprise that three Sikhs were part of his team, yet they never raised any concerns or objections regarding the script or sequences. IHRO expressed satisfaction that the strength of the Sikh community prevailed in the end. Additionally, IHRO believes that this incident will serve as a clear message to the Bollywood industry, urging them to approach the portrayal of Sikhs with greater responsibility and sensitivity.
Sikhs have long been subjected to misrepresentation, often portrayed through slapstick comedy that fails to capture their true essence. It is high time to replace these caricatures with genuine images and authentic portrayals that honour the Sikh community's rich culture, traditions, and contributions. By embracing accurate representations, we can foster greater understanding, respect, and appreciation for Sikhism and its followers.
*Based on an article published on the WordPress Santsipahi platform on 12th June 2008