~ Nanak Shah Fakir-Review~

[SAadmin]

Here is the short review from ss from akaal warrior

I just wanted to say that I was on the fence about this one. I ended up just going to watch the movie at the theatre, and all I can say is wow! The movie is absolutely amazing. I did not find anything disrespectful about the movie. I think it all comes down to intention and perception. The movie was done very respectfully... , and honestly, it can change people's lives. Just to watch all the sakhis I've heard come to life was amazing.

I used to be against the portrayal of our Gurus, but the way this movie was done was absolutely brilliant. they didn't show the face directly, about 99% of the shots were from behind. The trailer shows one shot from the side which shows some face, but it was for about 5 seconds. The rest was from behind. Honestly, the message in the movie was great. I can picture Hindus converting to Sikhism after watching this.

we are always complaining about our youth being lost and into drinking and drugs. but we do nothing about that. Whenever something positive comes around we start to complain, without even giving it a chance. and then we wonder why barely anyone in the world knows about our religion. It is our own fault. We are still living in the stone ages. we live such a fear based life style, that everything is considered disrespect in our eyes, and we don't even really know why. The person who is playing the role of Guru Ji is NOT claiming to be him, or claiming to be like him. He is just playing a role to get the message out, and the movie is very effective. Me and my friends loved it, and will watch it again. It's truly a magical movie and inspiring. just because someone many decades ago said that nobody can portray Guru Ji, we just clung on to it, and stopped using our own logic. We made our own rules when it comes to computer generated images, like chaar sahibzaday. Who decides what is ok and what isn't? I think there should be restrictions though. Any movie like this should get Akal takht approval. Anyways, the movie is awesome, and life changing. I am sure if a person who doesn't approve of it actually went to watch it, they will be quite moved. Like I said... It was all done respectfully. And to people claiming anti sikh forces are responsible for this movie, all I can say is please use your logic. If anything, people would want to become Sikhs after watching this

[Guest]

Here are some of thoughts from facebook on the movie:

Here are some of my thoughts with regards to the showing of 'Nanak Shah Fakir' and why I think it is a non-issue.

premise 1: Baba Nanak did not worship any human, nor did he allow or promote himself to be worshipped.

Thought 1: By protesting Nanak Shah Fakir, are people not indirectly worshipping a form? When the aspect of Baba Nanak was 'transferred' (poorly translated) to Guru Angad and onwards....obviously the 'body' did not matter

premise 2: Gurbani was received by Baba Nanak, that was what touched people. Sheikh Sajjan/Sajjan thug didn't know there was anything divine about Guru Nanak, nor did Bhai Lehna...It was when the bani came that people were touched.

Thought 2: When the 'divinity' lies in what was recieved, at most some basic fable-like morals and anecdotes (at best) will be what will be conveyed to the audience. This is just a CGI version of the Janamsakhis.

Premise 3: No successive guru changed the bani of their predecessor, to the extent that you will find a 'variation' of the bani of a predecessor whereever it has reappeared within gurbani. It was all 'received'. Each guru also prepared others to be 'able' to receive the bani. That being said, the sikh canon ends with the 10 gurus.

Thought 3: No one person, one philosophy, literal or theatrical can 'truly' convey the meaning of gurbani. At best, you can have an interpretation. The interpretation that aligns with the ongoing narrative is both strong and weak. It is strong because people will be able to engage with some 'values', 'stories', 'beliefs' that they are familiar in a new way. The weakness comes in with people complacently enjoying the aesthetics and not delving further....but that is also a positive because it may stir self reflection. So, the movie is great because it will allow people to self reflect. In doing so, it may help to break ludicrous constructs such as 'you need a realized soul to explain gurbani'...my question to those who say that is When guru angad didn't 'copy/regurgitate' the gurbani receieved by guru nanak, then who has given someone today any right to provide anything more than an interpretation?

[Sat1176]

I'm very disappointed that at our local cinema the Khalsa fauge is protesting outside and sending people away who want to watch it and gurdwaras are writing to them to get further showings removed.

https://www.facebook.com/Gurukhalsa11?ref=ts&fref=ts

We are happy for artist pictures to be drawn and put up. Even mediocre cartoons and low budget films made with drawings to depict characters.

We have 100s of saakhia told on stage without anyone questioning their validity or accuracy.

Take it to the next level and make a proper film and everyone jumps up and down.

I have been waiting so many years for something like this from the moment I watched Mahabarat and Ramayan. I used to think how great it would be if Sikh's made it of our Gurus. If I can't watch it in the movies I'm definitely going to buy the dvd and let my son watch it when he gets older.

Edited April 20, 2015 by Sat1176

[Guest]

I'm very disappointed that at our local cinema the Khalsa fauge is protesting outside and sending people away who want to watch it and gurdwaras are writing to them to get further showings removed.

Seriously, I don't understand why collective sikh community does not stand up against these right wing hooligans, self proclaimed self righteous obnoxious groups. I know they are afraid retaliation, demonization, shaming and ostracization from these people but there comes an time where sticking to reasonable (this film provides perfect balance of not showing maharaj full face -uphelding satkar and movie) freedom of speech/freedom of liberty principles trumps all as its our very fabric in gurmat sidhant and Our Guru's and shaheeds gave their life for. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj himself was full support of artistic expression in 52 kavi darbar, wrote very beautiful graphic war poetry krishan avtar in sri dasam granth, had support various indic related such as of war/avtar nataks(drama/plays) in his darbar.

As they say, its cowardice to intimidate and send people away, but its bigger cowardice as part of our collective society to sit back and watch intimidation happening. But I understand these types of right wing groups people are really dangerous, they will attack families/petrol bomb cars/smash house windows too as part of retaliation as well.

As you said, you are planning to watch DVD with your family..I too really anticipating to watch it after good reviews, i wasn't planning to watch it before but after i heard good reviews, heard numerous reports sikh right wing people to threaten to kill producer,director of the movie, intimidated sangat sending them away both in canada and UK..I refuse to be silence by these people. I will rebel against these hooligans, shenanigans as well will be watching it fully with my family as well decide it for myself and rather than taking these people word for it.

[Sat1176]

If akal thakt already approved this movie why is it being banned now?

Edited April 20, 2015 by Sat1176

[Sat1176]

Feeling well sad, Its been taken down at my local too. Makes me even more determined to go and see it now.

[chatanga1]

I can't see the fuss over it myself. It seems that some Sikhs just need an "issue" to go vent some anger over.

Personally, given the acclaim that "Mahabharat" (the original), Ramayana (2 years ago) and "Devo ke Dev Mahadev" recieved, and the immense joy and learning I received from watching them, I always hoped that one day the Sikhs cold have replicated this. Sadly it may not be so.

[mahanpaapi]

This Sakhi may be helpful.

[Lucky]

I'm not going get involved with these politics and I clearly have no problem with the film from what I have read so far.

It's showing at 2 theaters in Surrey at the moment and we will try and go see it before it get gets taken down.

My kids can't understand why some sikhs are making fuss about and funny enough my younger one innocently assumed that it was because some sikhs may have felt that the film makers were trying to 'islamify' Nanak ji because of the title reference of ''shah''

[BhagatSingh]

they didn't show the face directly, about 99% of the shots were from behind.

Honestly if the actor is capable he can put forth enlightenment through facial expressions really well.

One example is -

Shri Krishna and Ramayan (Ramanand sagar one)

Another example is -

Jesus of Nazareth

These Serials show THREE different types of facial expressions to represent the same things.

Shri Krishna always looks like he is about to laugh, very light mood, very airy feel to him.

Shri Ram looks pure ice. He is so chill, so relaxed. Very icy feel.

Jesus's eyes are intense, he looks like he has seen some shit. Very "I-know-some-shit-which-you-don't" feel

Disclaimer: Now when I talk about expressing enlightenment through facial expression, of course, I am talking about a collective agreement that links certain facial expressions with enlightenment. Enlightenment has no actual facial expressions.

Edited April 20, 2015 by BhagatSingh

[Sat1176]

Looks like they are now withdrawing the film.

Watch it whilst you still can.

http://sikhsiyasat.net/2015/04/21/breaking-news-harinder-sikka-withdraws-nanak-shah-fakir-movie/

[Sat1176]

This is well OTT!!

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015/04/21/hundreds-evacuated-from-wolverhampton-cinema-after-film-protest/

[Guest]

Protesters have a right to protest, watcher have right to watch and decide for themselves as soon fan of movie hits small finger on protestor and as soon as protestor using intimidation against watcher its against the laws. I cannot believe, cinema pull out the movie give in to pressure of protester..No one can dicate terms what to watch or not watch in western civil soceity/according to Sikh history- we fought against oppressive regimes/people, fought for other rights of freedom of speech and freedom of liberty...We are all adults we can decide for themselves after watching it if it was good or not. Better security should have been there.

Once movie is out in blu ray it will be out in torrents/megashares-millions of download, there is nothing protesters can do.

May be protesters should relax and deep study true nature of satguru (Satguru intertwin relationship between sargun and nirgun-all prevading)- according to gurbani rather than following abhramic version of Satguru.

[Sat1176]

Yesterday I got to go and watch Nanak Shah Fakir at one of the few cinemas still showing it. First of all I was real disappointed that there were only a few people in the theatre and came up with numerous reasons as to why this could be the case. Was it due to boycott, protests, fear of intimidation by groups/individuals or were the majority of Sikhs just against the concept of portraying Guru ji on the big screen?

Not to be disturbed by the lack of attendance I watched the movie anxiously amongst all the hype and controversy we had heard and seen. First of all I am no historian nor do I profess have great knowledge of intricate details, names of people, places with whom Guru ji came into contact with yet I do remember some of the basic Saakhis and the morals of the story to be taken away of the incidents that have been told to us from Sri Guru Nanak Dev’s Jis teachings.

Over the two hour plus duration of the film the viewer is given what I would call very short tasters of some of the sakhis from Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s life. Most of the incidents narrated and shown leave you feeling somewhat short changed, once they move on to the next scene, and that it was not to the depth that one might have heard in 1 – 2 hour kirtan, katha session where only a single story could take that much time to narrate. Did they try too hard to put too much in such a short space of time, cramming too many sakhis leaving out some of the spiritual gyan that should be imparted in the message. Most certainly one clearly realises that the life and teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji cannot be portrayed in only 2 hours and you are left wanting more and for the film to never end.

It is very easy to sit here and criticise the film saying they didn’t do this or they did that differently but I do have to commend the makers of the film for what they have made. I have to give credit and due praise for shooting of the movie because it is absolutely captured stunningly given various limitations and something you would expect from hollywood films. It certainly doesn’t come across as being low budget like some other dharmic movies I have seen. Makes you feel proud that some Sikh with the time and budget was able to put together a film like this. Some of the scenes in the movie leave you feeling so drawn in like being there with Guru ji which hits you in the depths of the chest and the love that built up for the founder of our faith over they years just hurts and wants to bust out with the longing for that magical darshan/vision and sheer presence even though it is only a movie. It is a joyous spiritual / emotional moment that one very infrequently experiences.

Making the film from the perspective of Mardana was a great idea and showing an actual body frame at times and giving Guru ji a voice gave the film some depth to Guru ji’s character and feeling which is cannot be gained with static cartoons or artwork like previous dharmic movies. Whilst I felt they tried to keep Guru ji’s dialog to a minimum where possible I would have preferred a lot more even if limited to seeing the back or other body portion.

I did however feel that the movie lacked some deep spiritual gyan in terms of bhagti or naam simran. Plenty a time I heard the mentioning of kirat karo and vand kay chakko but never once did I hear naam japo. The movie somewhat depicted an image that Guru ji’s primary teachings were only on these tenants and there was a lack of focus on the preaching on the remembrance of Waheguru somewhat. Yes sure there were mentions of remember the Upar Wala/One Above but that did not come clearly across from his vast teachings. This core teaching I would have wished more emphasis was given upon.

Without saying too much about the film and spoiling it for others I would say, not a bad effort at all and I am really pleased I got to see it even if it wasn’t perfect. Then again nothing ever will and can be produced which will come close or complete to the vast spiritual gyan and impression that Guru ji left us with.

Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji!

Edited April 22, 2015 by Sat1176

[curious_man]

It was a brilliant movie. Just saw it yesterday. The scenic beauty was awesome. Siddhs were shown as if they were truely real. What I liked was that the language used was good. Not the common punjabi used today. They used the pakistani punjabi/pathani/hindi ..the way it used to be.

I liked it, though a lot could be improved, but this was just beginning. More refinement needed from spirtual and factual side. Maybe in futurewe see a movie like "the message".

Edited April 22, 2015 by curious_man

[Guest]

Thanks for review curious man veer. Did you see any protest in your town?

[BhagatSingh]

Oh no! Where do I see it? :S

[dalsingh101]

Oh no! Where do I see it? :S

On a bootleg CD like the majority of people I guess. lol

[kdsingh80]

I was expecting that some Sikh film will have these kind of protests

[Sat1176]

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/apr/22/indian-film-nanak-shah-fakir-cancelled-mass-sikh-protest

Quite saddening to read the comments below.

Edited April 23, 2015 by Sat1176

[SAadmin]

An intelligent review from someone who has watched the film and does not have biased opinions towards ithihaas and associated beliefs:

source: https://www.facebook.com/NanakShahFakirFilm/posts/1586073948339870

A reiteration from those who have watched the film. Do read and share.

I have seen people on T.V dramas bowing to photos of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. There are Sikhs that have images of Guru Ji in their homes.

In such dramas I have seen shrines created in these peoples houses where they worship the photo of Guru Ji. I know, it happens in people's houses too, not just on T.V. I have also been told to bow down to a photo of Guru Ji as a child myself.

No one has successfully stopped these companies that allow dramas to include the worshiping of Guru Ji's photo. I'm not saying that we should focus on doing so. I am giving an insight into more 'serious' issues that occur, more 'serious' misunderstandings being placed to a wider audience (and most clearly portraying Sikhs as Hindus).

In relation to the movie I am saying:

1) Guru Ji's face is drawn all around the world by various artists with various depictions. In the movie Nanak Shah Fakir, Guru Ji's face is never shown. Silhouettes are shown and near side shots. They give no indication to the features of anyone, no clarity to any face. This adds to the superiority and mystical essence of our Guru.

2) If an actor has played Guru Ji's role, it's not evident. There was no name given in the credits to anyone who could have played Guru Ji. No face is shown. No identity is given to Guru Ji other than a shining light. The proclaimed CGI graphics may or may not have been used. If it is all CGI graphics then there is no issue. If it is a human and Gurbani states no human should act as The Guru, it is still not an issue. No one is taking this assumed actor as Guru Ji. No one is worshiping the screens or 'the human' playing Guru Ji's role. No wrongness has been done. We all know Guru Ji came to earth as humans do and in essence Guru Ji is Vaheguru in human time. No one is saying 'I am Guru Ji worship me. Take me as your Guru and bow to me.' This 'human' is assisting in delivering a Divine Message through the use of their silhouetted body. Nothing more. Unlike the drawings and photos which offer nothing to us.

3) Guru Ji is given a voice in the Movie. In Chaar Sahibzade Guru Gobind Singh Ji was animated and Guru Ji's face and body was shown through the animation. But it was all narration when it came to Guru Ji's 'thoughts'. It could have been narrated, through Mardana, in this movie too. The fact that it wasn't isn't a big issue either. The voice means nothing, the wisdom, the gian, that Guru Ji is reciting to others is the key. All 'Guru Ji's words' are spiritual and in line with Gurbani. That is what should be highlighted.

4) I have heard people have taken offence that Bhai Mardana was shown and acted in human form as well as Bebe Nanaki. Neither were Gurus. Both were spiritual Humans. It is not disrespectful to show their true nature through the interpreted movie. Regardless of their backgrounds, they played fairly whilst keeping the dignity of the 'character'.

5) Some are upset that 'Jap' was not recited in the Mool Mantar Baani. I was wondering why the Shabad had ended, I was waiting for 'Jap' to be recited but it wasn't. It probably should have been yes as it is part of the Mool Mantar. An accident or a purposeful intention, whatever the case it is forgivable. At least people know the true Mool Mantar it is fine. If they don't know it and stick to not finishing it with 'Jap' on the end, someone is bound to teach them about it, moreover...what a rare case.

6) Bebe Nanaki apparently had a black thread tied to her wrist (not that I saw because the messages of the movie themselves were more important to focus on). So? There was no such thing as Sikhism. Guru Nanak was teaching people how to dispel superstition and rituals. It's character building, moreover scene setting. That is how people lived, amongst segregation, ritualism, superstition etc.

7) My local Gurdwara. A poster was on display with something closely written along the line of: 'Do not watch Nanak Shah Fakir. Stop the portrayal of Sikh's as Hindus'...Need I say more! This person/people have not watched the movie! Most likely, the video of the Shabad/Sikh Aarti 'Gagan Mein Taal...' was watched by this person or people and interpreted purely in an illogical way. I interpreted the video in a negative way too. So I watched it three more times and came to a conclusion that in fact, this video is pretty great. The 'Gagan Mein Taal' Aarti video shows Hindu's singing our Sikh Aarti, dancing, claping with their worshiping taals (plates) at the beginning and gradually ending with them doing aarti to the sky and calmly singing alongside Guru Ji. The movie clearly shows Guru Nanak Dev Ji being asked to join the Hindu Aarti procession. The Hindu's start their aarti and worship to their statue deities. Guru ji starts singing over them at the beach near by...singing the Sikh Aarti. The Hindu slowly follow each other outside and start joining in and eventually end with their divai pointing toward the Ek Ongkar in the sky. A great and short way of showing how Guru Ji taught people about the truthful way to earn fruitfulness. A gradual progression of worshiping idols to worshiping the True Divine.

I have written this short 'review', if you may call it, as a way of helping Sikhs understand the greatness in this movie. After watching both Chaar Sahibzade and Nanak Shah Fakir I feel I have learn't a lot and grown as a Sikh. The films have put into perspective great historical events that occurred. The Sikh elements shine through the movies, radiantly reiterating what Baani is teaching us, in memorable, relatable, interesting, new, technological ways!

I want to say THANK YOU for trying your hardest to create such wonderful movies that enlighten our souls! I would much rather pay to watch movies that promote truthful spiritualisation than anything else out their on our screens!

Thank you for standing up and doing something so strong for, and in, the Sikh Community. Sorry that you have got yourself in so much trouble in making this movie, but I hope my message is heard and people watch the movie to judge for themselves.

Please forgive me as I may have made many many mistakes. My intentions were only to seek truth and I hope I have done this. Sorry if I have not and forgive me for all wrong I have said. I'm not here to have or create arguments with anyone, I'm here to put forward my views.

[SAadmin]

ARTI-ARTA portion seems like absolute marvellous moment in the movie, its moment of renewed perception, higher state of perception-rising to higher consciousness

Pure transcendence updesh message of arti done in sargun dvait (duality) into Advait vairaat arti - Gurmat Advait Message- One in all, all in One.

https://youtu.be/fL6HyZR0DsA

[BhagatSingh]

On a bootleg CD like the majority of people I guess. lol

What goes around comes around

[Lucky]

Me and the family went to see this at a theater with less than 30 sold seats.

Overall, I wasn't extremely impressed, but it was very pleasing to watch.

It started off very well, with a lot of emphasis and emotion shown in the earlier scenes like the janeo...but then after an hour it seemed like the classic rush job to get get the movie done. You could tell that the beginiing half hour was planned well, but the material shown after was most probably scenes that were chosen and picked together out of a another half dozen.  Maybe this was because I knew there were many other sakhees inbetween and then realized that it would be impossible to fit them in a single movie.

The depth of the sakhis and the deeper true message wasn't shown or expressed. It focused away from the spiritual significance of Guru ji's messages. Again, this was probably because some of us have done deep vichaar on the events and messages when compared to someone learning it the first time.

I feel that it had the 'missionary' agenda because it mentioned more on kirat karo, and vand shako as Sat mentioned in his post.

This agenda was more apparent with the Kurukshetra story which was slightly twisted in the direction of missionary 'meat' agenda

There was no core message of nam jap or going within and finding the harimandar.

I can understand the people that are protesting because I felt that there were some scenes where an actor's face from the side were shown and these were totally unnecessary.

The fact that we know the actor was not sikh, didn't please me at all and neither me or my wife felt comfortable with it...I mean if they had used an actor just for effects or to stage some physical moves, then the odd few seconds of 'No face' or the slight side would have been acceptable.

These few second scenes where it is clearly an actor and not a computer animated image, were completely unnecessary.

A moving animation wouldn't have been a problem theses days as we've seen them since 1988's  "Who framed Roger Rabitt" movie.

The movie would have appealed more if they gave some narrative with regards to his udassis and got to the depth of core sakhi messages. Even showing some stills with narrative could have taken the film a lot further by filling in missing gaps and time frames

 

I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it before it gets taken down. You have to watch it with an attitude to absorb it instead of watching to nit pick and find faults.  Glad my kids got to see it as it gives opportunity for parents to elaborate further.

[OnPathToSikhi]

The movie should not have been made. It was a wise decision to pull back the movie. The protests were in the right spirit. I had watched Sikka's interview (was it Sikh Channel?) and the guy seems to have been driven by some irrational emotions to make the movie. The movie posters have a very abrahamical flavour (maybe even the movie itself).

You can spend an eternity and still would not be able to comprehend enough to make a movie on any of our Gurus. Let us get our facts straight.

Why can't there be movies inspired by Sikh teachings?