Nod for Dhillon8217;s documentary

CHANDIGARH, July 17: With the preparations for the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa Panth in full swing, showbiz has also chipped in w...

CHANDIGARH, July 17: With the preparations for the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa Panth in full swing, showbiz has also chipped in with its bit to help build the atmosphere. Mangal Dhillon8217;s much talked about documentary on Sikh history, has got green signal from Dharam Prachar Committee. All that is required now so that the ambitious project of the eminent Punjabi artist gets going is funds. And for that, Dhillon has his hopes pinned on the SGPC and the Punjab Government.

A two-hour documentary, titled 8220;Khalsa8221; will give a brief history of Sikh religion covering the period from Guru Teg Bahadur to Guru Granth Sahib in a unique way. The documentary which will be sans actors will communicate with the audience via paintings and will be supported by Shabad Kirtan in the background.

Ask him about the source of inspiration for this documentary and he says,8220;The end product will be something which could help people in removing misconceptions that have piled up over the years. Four to five years of research work for the script provided a real insight into as to how things got distorted 8211; I have studied the history in detail and will present it after putting it in a proper prespective.8221;

Although Dhillon believes that to do justice to the topic, at least 13-episode serial is required but after condensing, he plans to get nearly 500 paintings painted and complete the project in time i.e before the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth. His desire 8211; 8220;Release the documentary film on the Baisakhi Day in Anandpur Sahib, show it in all gurdwaras, telecast it on national network and international channels, to mark the celebrations.8221;

With the script getting the approval of Dharam Prachar Committee, Dhillon feels half of the battle is won 8211; the other half includes raising funds for the making of the documentary. 8220;I would rather shelve the project than make a run-of-the-mill documentary, if I fail to arrange sufficient funds for my project.8221; says he. The shooting for the documentary film will start in November as Dhillon intends to finish the film before Baisakhi in April.