Akaal Controversy: Gippy Grewal's Film Faces Backlash For Alleged Misrepresentation Of Sikh Community

Gippy Grewal’s Akaal: The Unconquered, which released on April 10, has landed into controversy. Baba Bakshish Singh has accused the film of disrespecting Sikhs and hurting religious sentiments, reported news agency IANS. Singh alleged that Grewal’s film inappropriately portrays Sikh characters and shows them drinking, consuming tobacco or as 'mundit' (without hair).

Singh further claimed that Akaal is based on Sikh warriors like Hari Singh Nalua or Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, and those who are playing them should be shown with full reverence and dignity. He even threatened that he wouldn't allow such films be released in theatres.

He also went on to accuse the government of supporting filmmakers “whose motive is to undermine Sikh history".

Baba Bakshish Singh has been detained by Patiala police.

About Akaal

Set in the 1840s Punjab, Akaal: The Unconquered is produced by Karan Johar. Earlier, while speaking about joining hands with Karan, Gippy Grewal told IANS, “We felt that our film deserves to be taken out of the boundaries. The boundaries of our regular Punjabi films. So, it should be released in Hindi. In Punjab, we watch Tamil and Telugu films in Hindi. So, our films should be able to see all that."

He added, “I don’t think there is anyone better than Karan Johar… We locked things in the first meeting. So, in the next meeting with Karan, everything happened fast''.

Akaal revolves around the story of Khalsa warrior Akaal Singh (Grewal) and his village facing an assault by ruthless leader Jangi Jahan and his forces after the death of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. It is a story of bravery, honour and resilience.

Alongside Gippy Grewal, the film also stars Nikitin Dheer, Gurpreet Ghuggi, and Nimrat Khaira, among others.

Akaal Box Office

Akaal has received positive to mixed reviews from the critics and audience alike. As per a report in Sacnilk, it earned around Rs 0.85 crore net in India on day 1 of its release.