Tiger Shroff’s upcoming superhero Hindi film, A Flying Jatt has courted controversy among the Sikh communities in Punjab and Maharashtra. Mumbai-based Punjabi Cultural Heritage Board (PCHB) have raised objections over the film’s portrayal of Sikhism, especially the use of the religious symbol ‘kandha’.
According to PCHB’s president Charan Singh Sapra, the committee noticed that ever since the trailer was released, there was a visible resentment among the Sikh communities. “The trailers show ‘khanda’ – one of the articles of faith of Sikhs -displayed on the hero’s outfit, and some of the sacred verses from Guru Granth Sahib are also distorted. We fear the overall content of the movie would be making a mockery of the community for commercial gains,” he told Times of India. The board also believes that the act of using the religious symbol for mockery was deliberate and a malicious act from the makers of the film.
Watch: A Flying Jatt’s Official Trailer.
Deeming it an ‘intolerable act’, the board intends on taking it up with the Akali Takht – the highest authority of the Sikh religion – if the objectionable contents in the film are not removed. “They should take immediate cognizance and consult community leaders before discontent rises,” said PCHB’s president, threatening legal action against Balaji Motion Pictures, the production company for the film.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the organisation responsible for the upkeep of gurudwaras and Sikh places of worship, also echoed similar sentiments against the film. SGPC’s chief Avtar Singh Makkar said that the film can only be released after the objectionable contents, including the use of the khanda on the superhero’s suit be removed. According to a Hindustan Times report, Balaji Motion Pictures has agreed to delete content which could hurt Sikh sentiments. However, it’s unclear whether the religious symbol from the costume would be removed.
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The SGPC had also expressed its disapproval over some films on similar grounds, in the past. In April last year, the SGPC sought to ban Punjabi film Nanak Shah Fakir for portraying ‘objectionable content’. Akal Takht chief Giani Gurbachan Singh, who watched a special screening of the film before the release, insisted that ‘no human can play the role of Guru Nanak Singhji‘. The film was removed from the theatres four days after its release.
A Flying Jatt, directed by choreographer Remo D’Souza, will release on 25 August. The film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez, Amrita Singh, and Australian wrestler-actor Nathan Jones.
Feature Image Courtesy: DNA India