Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh today supported the SGPC’s demand for a ban on the movie “Nanak Shah Fakir” stating that it should not be released till all the “objectionable scenes” are removed.
The Jathedar said: “Nobody can play the role of Sikh gurus and their family members. The film should not be released until the producer deletes all such scenes.” He said the movie had sparked widespread resentment among the Sikhs and the filmmaker should address their concerns.
On the argument given by the filmmaker regarding use of computer graphics to portray Guru Nanak Dev, he said the Sikh gurus could not be shown in human form.
Sikh intellectuals feel the trend of showing Sikh gurus in human form in films should be stopped. Former vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University SP Singh said the filmmaker should have portrayed the Guru in a symbolic form like a halo instead of showing him in a human form. He said this trend showed the weakness on the part of the SGPC.
Noted Sikh scholar Ashok Singh Bagrian said it was high time to curb this trend as it might set a bad precedent. He also felt that Sikh gurus should be portrayed symbolically in the films.
Meanwhile Dal Khalsa has also shot off a letter to Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal urging him not to allow the release of the movie. The party claimed that they had also submitted a memorandum to the Akal Takht Jathedar. Various Canadian and Australian Sikh Groups have also submitted petition to ban the movie in their countries as well.