Sikhs disrupt screening of Bollywood flick 'Singh is Kinng' in Punjab

Amritsar, August 8 : Bollywood's latest release 'Singh is Kinng' drew wrath from Sikh community when a mob of irate protesters disrupted the screening of the film on Friday in Amritsar in Punjab.

'Singh is Kinng' which released on Friday, ran into trouble when a group of protesters brandishing naked swords and sticks, gathered outside Annan theatre in the city and damaged the film posters and display windows at the theatre, causing disruption in the show.

Directed by Anees Bazmee, the film 'Singh is Kinng', starring action hero Akshay Kumar and gorgeous Katrina Kaif had generated a lot of interest amongst the audiences before its release.

The protesters alleged the movie projected the Sikh community in a negative light.

"We will not let 'Singh is Kinng' run in any of the theater in Punjab. They (film makers) have made fun of Sikhs in the movie. How can they show a Sikh, who is a follower of guru, dancing and romancing semi nude women in the film? It is not acceptable to us. They have portrayed a Sikh as a comedian and have ridiculed the Sikhs. We cannot tolerate it," said Kashmir Singh, a protester.

Police was called in to control the protesters and four people were also arrested for ransacking the theatre.

"The protesters came very quietly, but as soon as they started protesting, we arrested them," said Ranbir Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police.

While on one hand the movie faced flak from Sikh protesters, on the other hand, it got a tremendous response from its Sikh audience in Ludhiana, Punjab.

People jostled each other in their eagerness to enter the movie hall. People could be seen whistling and dancing inside the theatre while watching the movie.

According to the cine-goers the movie was caught in wrong controversy, as it was a wholesome entertainer.

"It is wrong that the film ran into a controversy. It is a nice movie and very well made," said Lucky, a viewer.

The movie revolves around a Sikh, hailing from a small village in Punjab and how his life is transformed when he reaches Australia on a mission.

The film trails the journey of Happy Singh as he sets off to Australia hunting for his friend who is an underworld don and he even gets pulled in the trail and emerges as 'Singh' being the 'Kinng'.

Though the movie had got a green signal from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) after it asked producer Vipul Shah to insert a disclaimer and an apology at the beginning of the film, there are many Sikh bodies who reportedly oppose the film for being 'anti Sikh'.

ANI