Animation on Sikh Guru: SGPC sub-panel clears film with amendments

The movie will still have the character of Baba Budha and Baba Bhidhi Chand Chhina, two prominent personalities of Sikh history, said Gogoani, who has watched the movie. “We have told producers to make the amendments and submit a report to the Akal Takht. Now, Akal Takht Jathedar will take the final call,” he added.

Animation movie on sixth Sikh guru: No decision at SGPC meet

The sub-committee has also recommended imposing a ban on depicting characters based on the Sikh gurus and their immediate family members in any animation movie in future.

A sub-committee appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to review the animation movie ‘Dastan-E-Miri Piri’ has asked the film makers to remove a character personifying the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind Sahib, and the dialogues that it delivers.

“A picture was used to depict the character of Guru Hargobind Singh Sahib and there were few dialogues on the behalf of the character depicting Guru. We have told producers to remove the picture and the dialogue and instead use light to depict presence of Guru in the movie, said Inderjeet Singh Gogoani, a member of the sub committee.
The movie directed by the Vinod Lanjewar was due for release on June 5. However, following protests by Sikh bodies and no green signal from Akal Takht, the film makers stayed the release.

The movie will still have the character of Baba Budha and Baba Bhidhi Chand Chhina, two prominent personalities of Sikh history, said Gogoani, who has watched the movie. “We have told producers to make the amendments and submit a report to the Akal Takht. Now, Akal Takht Jathedar will take the final call,” he added.

The sub-committee has also recommended imposing a ban on depicting characters based on the Sikh gurus and their immediate family members in any animation movie in future.

“We have made a recommendation that no animation movie in future should be allowed to have any character depicting Sikh gurus and their immediate family members. There already exists a SGPC resolution not allowing any human to play the role of Sikh gurus. The same resolution should also be implemented on the animation movies,” Gogoani said. This is not the first time that there has been a controversy over a movie related to the lives of the Sikh gurus. Last year, film producer Harinder Singh Sikka was excommunicated by Akal Takht as he refused to stop the release of movie ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’, based on the life of Guru Nanak Dev.

Sikka had claimed to have used light to depict Guru Nanak.

Meanwhile, it has been alleged that Gogoani has written the dialogues for ‘Dastan-E-Miri Piri’. He was also member of the sub-committee formed to review the movie, making it a perfect case of conflict of interest.

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Gogoani, however, refuted the allegations. “I didn’t write any dialogue for the movie and have no association with movie,” he asserted.

Sources said that the SGPC and the Akal Takht have taken a soft stance on the movie and will soon allow its release because an SGPC member has invested money in the animation film. Sources also said that SGPC was set to give clearance to the movie in the original form, but changed its mind after pressure mounted on it from Sikhs across the globe urging it stop the release of the movie.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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