Sadda... highlights the fight for rights

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Negative publicity helps films. It enhances curiosity, garners interest and that’s what has worked for Punjabi film Sadda Haq, which hit the screens yesterday. The film got banned in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana and Jammu just a day before its scheduled release on April 5 as the state governments in Punjab and Delhi showed concern that the film allegedly glorifies extremism.

The Supreme Court finally gave it a green signal in April end. It now opened in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, UP. According to the producers the film will be released in Delhi on Monday.
Although it got an A certificate, the producers aren’t complaining. “We are elated that the film is finally releasing. The ban and the controversy surrounding the subject have actually worked in our favour. Now we are dubbing the film in other languages. We have also registered a four times increase in business. For us it turned out to be a blessing in disguise,” said writer-actor Kuljinder Singh Sidhu at a press conference held at PVR Plaza in the city.
The film has already been released in US, UK and Canada and getting good response from viewers. However, following the ban the film, which was completed within a modest budget of `2 crore, has already made `10 crore.
“If the ban had stayed, we would have incurred losses. But all is well that ends well. Earlier we were releasing the film with 48 prints but now we have been able to release it with 80 prints,” informed Dinesh Sood, producer of the film.
The film invited trouble for allegedly glorifying the Khalistan movement. It is set in Punjab of the 80s and 90s. “Sikhism is a separate religion but the Indian Constitution is yet to recognise it as a separate religion. Through this film we are highlighting the plight of the Sikh community, the 1984 Delhi carnage, the killings, fake encounters and the injustice meted out to Sikhs,” added Sidhu.
“Sadda Haq initiates a fight for our rights and standing against an unfair system. It’s also a journey to self-realisation,” quipped actor Gaurav Kakkar.
Punjabi films are usually thought of as happy and colourful films. But filmmakers are now trying to break the stereotype and there can’t be a better example than Sadda Haq. Sood said, “This film has brought Punjabi cinema under the spotlight. We are getting calls from all over the world. People are interested in investing money in our films. Sadda Haq has set a benchmark. The positive response we have got will inspire others to follow suit.”