in most contemporary movies, Sikhs and Punjabis are the center of
jokes. Movies coming out of the Punjabi Film Industry follow the trend
as well. You will often see a Punjabi man characterized as the
disgusting guy with an overgrowth of facial hair, carelessly wrapped
turban, a bottle of homemade liquor hidden in his dirt-covered kurta,
and a constant need to talk loudly. The Punjabi woman is the one decked
out in a heavily embroidered salwaar kameez, long braid in hand, loudly
saying things like “party-sharty,” “food-faad,” “dance-vance.” You get
the picture.
We laugh, holding our stomachs, memorizing the comedy so we can
repeat it. This is perhaps the Punjabi culture we are encouraged to
observe and then replicate. Our true heritage is not represented in
modern media because that heritage has the power to awaken sleeping
lions. When we talk about the history of Punjab, it is nearly impossible
to segregate it from Sikh history because they are intertwined like
body and soul. It has taken nearly two decades for someone to talk about
the true history of Punjab after 1984 and that movie has been banned by
the Punjab government—which has only encouraged a larger, worldwide
audience.
Sharon Gill, a Canadian student, travels to Punjab to conduct research for her PhD thesis, “Minorities at War.” Her research allows her the opportunity to meet Kartar Singh in prison and learn his life story. Along with Sharon, the audience gets a chance to witness the various circumstances that gave birth to the “terrorists” that wreaked havoc in Punjab in the 1990s. Sadda Haq provides insight into a corrupt governmental system, where the protectors of the people are the ones who deliver inhumane torture.
For those who are not familiar with the history of bloodshed in Punjab, this movie will take you through it from a perspective that has been suppressed for several decades. If you are Sikh, you will understand why we pray in every gurdwara for the well-being and release of Sikh prisoners on a regular basis.
Sadda Haq is a must watch for everybody, especially Sikhs. The movie does not take any religious or political sides; it simply shows the truth behind the turmoil of late twentieth century Punjab .
RATINGS : **** (5) !!
Sharon Gill, a Canadian student, travels to Punjab to conduct research for her PhD thesis, “Minorities at War.” Her research allows her the opportunity to meet Kartar Singh in prison and learn his life story. Along with Sharon, the audience gets a chance to witness the various circumstances that gave birth to the “terrorists” that wreaked havoc in Punjab in the 1990s. Sadda Haq provides insight into a corrupt governmental system, where the protectors of the people are the ones who deliver inhumane torture.
For those who are not familiar with the history of bloodshed in Punjab, this movie will take you through it from a perspective that has been suppressed for several decades. If you are Sikh, you will understand why we pray in every gurdwara for the well-being and release of Sikh prisoners on a regular basis.
Sadda Haq is a must watch for everybody, especially Sikhs. The movie does not take any religious or political sides; it simply shows the truth behind the turmoil of late twentieth century Punjab .
RATINGS : **** (5) !!
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