Amid raging protests from Sikh activists across Punjab, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has once again demanded a ban on the release of the controversial film Nanak Shah Fakir slated to hit the theatres on April 13.
The Committee's opposition to the film comes after it had initially given its approval.
SGPC spokesperson Diljit Singh Bedi said the movie should not be released until “objectionable parts" had been removed.
The film produced by Harinder Singh Sikka is based on the life and teachings of the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev. Mr Sikka, who claims that the film had been given the go ahead by the SGPC, said he was surprised at their “sudden U-turn.”
"The SGPC had wholeheartedly recommended everyone to watch the movie after I edited it as per its directions" -Harinder Singh Sikka
The film has been mired in controversies ever since it was first screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. It was set to release in 2015, but was withdrawn from theaters following widespread protests from various Sikh bodies over the alleged human portrayal of Guru Nanak and his family members, which the SGPC says is against Sikhism.
While the film’s promo which was released on YouTube a week ago has clocked over 2 million views, it has received harsh criticism on various social media platforms.
Meanwhile, there are also those who are eagerly awaiting the release of this film.
