Singh Is Kinng is a 2008 Bollywood film. The film is directed by Anees Bazmee and stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. About 75% of the movie was shot in Australia, around the Gold Coast region and Brisbane using an Australian production team (Instinct India). The film was released on August 8, 2008.
The spelling of the word “king” in the film’s title with an additional letter “n” was based on advice provided by a numerologist, a practice which has become routine in Bollywood.
Reaction from the Sikh community
Before the movie was released, it was reported that the Sikh community in Khar, Mumbai was very pleased with the portrayal of the Sikhs in the film. Vipul Shah, the producer of the film, was felicitated at the Khar Gurdwara on June 18, 2008. He said, “Our intention was to portray the community in the right way and I am glad that we have managed to achieve it.”
However, some members of the Sikh community had expressed their displeasure over the portrayal of Sikhs in the movie. The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) announced that it was up to the audience to decide whether they want to watch the film or not.
On August 1, 2008, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) sought a ban on the movie, saying that it ‘ridiculed’ the Sikh community. It wrote a letter to Sheila Dikshit, the chief minister of Delhi, asking her to ban the movie. The main objection raised was that the film promos showed Akshay Kumar’s character sporting a trimmed beard, which some orthodox Sikhs found offensive. Akshay Kumar and Vipul Shah had a 50-minute discussion with the DSGMC authorities, in which they explained the positive message behind the film. The DSGMC members requested twelve changes, which the filmmakers complied with. Akshay Kumar also said that the film was aimed at portraying “how strong and brave Sikh community is.” As a result of the discussion, DSGMC gave a clean chit to the movie on August 7, 2008.
However, on the same day (August 7), the Sikh organization Damdami Taksal asked all sikhs to protest against the movie. The first showing of the movie in NM Cinema Hall of Amritsar on August 8, 2008 was disrupted by some Sikh protesters, who vandalized the hall and damaged property.
Review
The movie has been well received until now with most theatres outside India reporting 95%-100% attendance. Reviews have been mixed. Taran Adarsh, of indiafm.com stated, “Singh is Kinng lives up to the hype and hoopla. Want a joyride without taxing your brains? Board the SINGH IS KINNG wagon. At the box-office, the film will fetch a hurricane-like start. The paid previews, the opening weekend, the first week business, everything will be record-shattering. Notwithstanding the new oppositions in the weeks to come, Singh is Kinng will rule the hearts of the aam junta [whose verdict matters the most] as also the box-office, proving a record holder in the final tally.” NDTV India gave the movie 2.5/5 stars. Hindustan Times gave the film a 2/5 stars. The film turned out to be such a great success that it was showcased at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.
Cast
- Akshay Kumar … Happy Singh
- Katrina Kaif … Sonia
- Om Puri … Rangeela
- Kiron Kher … Rose Lady (Sonia’s mom)
- Sonu Sood … Lucky Singh
- Ranvir Shorey … Puneet
- Javed Jaffrey … Mika Singh/Puneet’s father
- Neha Dhupia … Julie
- Yashpal Sharma … Pankaj Udaas
- Manoj Pahwa … Dilbaugh Singh
- Kamal Chopra … Guruji
- Eli Bernstein … Disco Dancer
- Peter Coates … the pilot
- James Foster … another pilot
- Sudhanshu Pandey … Raftaar
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