Chandigarh 7 Sep 2015: India’s firm censor board is likely to re-examine an upcoming Punjabi movie “Mastermind: Sukha-Jinda” as Indian intelligence agencies have reportedly raised concerns over the film. As per reports in Indian media, security agencies have raised “concerns” that the upcoming film glorifies assassination of former Army chief General A S Vaidya and is sympathetic to the cause of sovereign Sikh state.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had cleared the film in July and it is scheduled to be released on September 11.
`The Mastermind Jinda Sukha’ lauds the sacrifice of “martyrs” and Khalistan movement legends Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda and Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha, who gunned down General Vaidya on August 10, 1986, about two years after June 1984 army attack on Darbar Shahib Amritsar and other Gurdwara Sahibs in Punjab and adjoining states. Notably Arun Vaidya was the Army chief during June 1984 attack.
“The CBFC has received fresh inputs from security agencies regarding the possibility of unrest that could be caused by the flagrant content of the film. The film has already received certification for public screening but this is being reconsidered,” Censor Board sources said. The decision has been taken under Rule 32 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 that empowers the government to have a certified film re-examined.
The rule says “the central government may , if it considers necessary so to do, direct the chairman to re-examine any film (in respect of which a complaint has been received by it directly or through the board) in such manner and with such assistance as may be specified in the direction“.
The film is unabashed in its praise for the two assassins and is based on the duo’s letters that have been published as a book. It has been directed by Sukhjinder Singh Shera, produced by Australia-based Singh Brothers and is slated for an international release.
`The Mastermind Sukha Jinda’ is one among a series of films made on post-1984 period in Punjab in recent times. In 2013, `Sadda Haq’ based on events of post-1984 period was banned in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir by respective state governments. However the movie was cleared by the Supreme Court of India. In August 2014, `Kaum De Heere’ film that was based on lives of Shaheed Beant Singh, Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh and assassination of Indira Gandhi was denied censor certification.