My Name is Singh

It’s an unconventional debut,but actor Gulzar Inder Chahal is ready. “I have been ready for three years now,” smiles the cricketer-turned-actor,who drove from Patiala to Chandigarh on Tuesday to share good news — his debut film,I Am Singh,is finally releasing worldwide on December 2. A labour of love,director Puneet Isarr’s I Am Singh is based on events that took place in the aftermath of 9/11,when Sikhs became the unsuspecting victims of hate crimes across the US.

“One would think that it’s been a long time since the tragedy,and all is well now. But it is not. I have family in the States,and problems of racial discrimination still persist,” says Chahal,as he makes a quick reference to an incident that took place at a US airport. “My full name on the passport is Gulzar Inder Singh Chahal and my email has the word pathan in it. Just on this basis,I was detained and questioned,” recalls Chahal. I Am Singh explores similar challenges that non-Americans face,how they fight problems of mistaken identity,and how Chahal’s character,Ranbir Singh,takes legal action and raises awareness.

Produced by Peshaura Singh Thind and made on a budget of Rs 50 crore,this is one of the most expensive film on the circuit currently. The film has also been in the making for three years. Chahal,however,calls the film an endless journey “from Punjab to Bollywood”. Does he feel awkward about making a turbaned appearance in his first Hindi film? “Not all all,” he responds,“It’s the story,the theme,that counts.” Clearly,he is happy to represent the global Sikh community.

Chahal is also busy running his production house,H&H Productions,with singer-actor Harbhajan Mann,in Punjab,and is looking forward to his romantic film,Dil Tehnu Karda Hai Pyaar which will release in February.