Slough Sikh Temple Allows Bollywood Filming

[uk_khalistani]

“Ramgarhia Sikh Temple” Slough Allows Bollywood Filming

Sunday 15th May, 2005

Fauja Singh - Panthic Weekly Staff

Slough, UK (KP) – It came to light last week that the shooting for a Bollywood Hindi film took place in Gurdwara “Ramgarhia Sikh Temple.” On Friday 6th May, filming for a new film took place in the darbar sahib in presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Khalsa Press had learnt from eyewitnesses present that filming took place of a wedding scene in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji parkash in the Gurdwara Sahib in Slough. Eye witnesses went on to say that Laavã (Sikh marriage ceremony) would take place half way in which the director would shout, “cut.”

The committee has been firm in claiming “no beadbi (violation) took place...How can it be possible that we would allow Guru Ji’s beadbi, it is unbelievable to even think such a thing.”

In an exclusive interview with Panthic Weekly a member of the Gurdwara committee said, only the first Laav (marriage vow hymn) was read completely, the four Laavã were not read. Panthic weekly questioned a committee member asking, “In films the director says ‘cut’ and the scene has to be repeated – did this happen while reading Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?”

Bhai Sahib said, “This happened one or two times at most. However, on a few occasions I went downstairs to the Langar Hall, so I can’t comment on whether it happened more than one or two times.”

From what we have learnt from reports given by eye witnesses who expressed their disgust at the beadbi, this happened many times. The Laava(n) would begin and the director would call “cut” half way through. It has also been revealed that most of the staff working on the film were of Madras origin.

“It has been claimed by members of the public who contacted Panthic Weekly that the film director sat on a chair in Guru Ji’s hazoori (presence), is this claim true or false?” asked a Panthic Weekly reporter. Bhai Sahib responded, “This is false. How can we allow anyone to sit on a chair in Guru’s hazoori? If someone mistakenly did sit on a chair not knowing, the committee then would have told them to remove the chair from the Diwaan Hall.”

It was also claimed that Amitabh Bachan was being filmed in the Gurdwara.

Bhai Sahib responded, “No, this proves to show how people who were not even there have made up stories. Amitabh Bachan was not there at all.”

Bhai Sahib said that they were not told the name of the film which was being made. However Bhai Sahib said, “I don’t know much about actors or Hindi films, but the young lady actress was Aishwariya Rai, and the boy being played was a local boy, I think from Kent.”

When asked whether the boy acting to get married was a Sikh or not, we were told, “he was mona (clean shaven man).” It is unclear whether the Hindi film is depicting the marriage of a Sikh couple, which is very unlikely, or the marriage of a Hindu girl and boy. However, according to the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada, only a Sikh girl and Sikh boy are allowed to be joined in wedlock with the Anand Karaj marriage ceremony.

In response to a question with regards to who was performing the Laavã ceremony Bhai Sahib commented, “A Singh from the Gurdwara Sahib’s Hazoori Jatha read the Laav...the Raagi Jatha sang one or two shabads, but they only sang the first one or two lines…. The raagi jatha sang only the first Laav in Kirtan roop to what I saw, that’s it.”

When Panthic Weekly put forward the claims of some members of the public that the Gurdwara Sahib is using Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a toy and disrespecting the Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhai Sahib responded: “Anyone who says this is the one who is doing the disrespect of Guru Ji. How can Guru Ji be a toy? Anyone who even thinks that for instance is no better than being dead. Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the Haazar Naazar Jyot (forever present living light) of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. How can the Gurdwara Sahib allow beadbi of Guru Ji?”

Bhai Sahib added, “We had a meeting before allowing the filming crew permission to use the Gurdwara. In the meeting we discussed all angles. Giani Ji, who was the president before the recently new elected Gurdwara Committee, is a Pooran Gursikh, who strictly believes and follows the Rehat Maryada. He strongly opposed any filming being allowed in the Gurdwara. He said no way can filming be given permission. However, in the meeting it was discussed and argued that films are made in Gurdwaras like Sri Darbar Sahib ji. Whether the filming is in the Parkarma or inside, it is of little difference; there is filming happening. Also there are films that are made which show snapshots (not full) of anand kaaraj like the religious film ‘Nanak Naam Jahaaj Hai’ film. I personally watched the film two [or] three times. If it is okay in those films and filming is allowed in Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, then we decided that it should be okay for our Gurdwara Sahib to also allow filming.”

When questioned with regards to the marriage parties being Sikh or non-Sikh, Bhai Sahib responded, “The janeth (marriage party) consisted of local people and people from Kent I think. They were Sikhs, including Sikh ladies.”

When questioned on supervising of the film crew by the Gurdwara Committee, Bhai Sahib responded, “Yes, the whole Gurdwara Committee was present and supervised and ensured everything was going okay.”

On questioning with regards to any monetary gain in allowing the filming to take place Bhai Sahib responded, “I have not asked nor do I know. You will have to ask the President himself.”

It is interesting how the Gurdwara is able to justify their decision of allowing filming to take place. Is performing Laavã half way not beadbi? Is the fact a false marriage taking-place in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji parkash not the same as beadbi? It is interesting also how the committee has not come out themselves and defended their stance as eyewitnesses brought the issue in the limelight through the media like Panthic Weekly and Panjab Radio. Panthic weekly has received numerous reports with regard to this filming and the disgust of the general community at the actions of the committee of this Gurdwara Sahib in Slough. It seems the state of Gurdwaras and their management in UK is worse than first thought. Beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is being allowed to take place openly. Only recently there was a case on the national news that a Panjabi lady from Hillingdon, London was convicted for arranging bogus marriages and filming fake Anand Karaj’s in Guru Ji’s hazoori. Is it not time for Gurdwara “Ramgarhia Sikh Temple” to make an apology to the Panth and admit that doing Laavã like this was blatant beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?

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I think this is the same film that will show Asian and Sikhs in a very negative light. With stereotypical theme of Asian men being wife beaters/abusers. It centers on a case where an UK asian woman murders her husband after years of abuse. I believe Aishwariya Rai will be playing the character of the woman.

[uk_khalistani]

Aishwarya Rai to play abused wife in British film

14th May, 2005

Details of actress Aishwarya Rai's next British movie were revealed at the Cannes Film Festival this week. Titled Provoked, it will also feature Buddha of Suburbia actor Naveen Andrews.

The project is based on the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, to be played by Rai, who left India to marry her husband in London. After facing domestic abuse for years she eventually retaliated by dousing him in petrol and setting him alight.

Ahluwalia was convicted of murdering her husband in 1989 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Her cause was taken up by the group Southall Black Sisters and the sentence was eventually quashed in 1992. The court accepted her plea of manslaughter on the grounds of provocation.

The case not only raised awareness of domestic violence, it also made British legal history in changing the way such cases were interpreted by law.

She later received an award from Cherie Blair for her courage and wrote an autobiography, Circle of Light, on which the film screenplay is based.

It will be directed by Jagmohan Mundhra who has made two films; Kamla and Bawandar, both about real stories of traumatised Indian women.

"Provoked has to be made correctly, only then will it be effective," Aishwarya Rai said in an interview last week. "I think Jagmohan Mundhra is the right person to tackle the subject." She said it was part of his "trilogy of tributes to Indian womanhood."

The actress was in UK for Paul Berges and Gurinder Chadha's latest film Mistress Of Spices when she was approached with the idea. "I immediately consented. Within two weeks everything fell in place," she said. "It's the first time I'm playing a real-life character, so you can imagine my excitement and nervousness."

Producer Sunanda Murali said: "It's amazing how so many people relate to the story. So many people know about the story. It's satisfying to be involved in a project like this that has so much value."

Naveen Andrews will play the husband and Indian actress Nandita Das, a member of the jury at this year's Cannes, will play an activist working for Southall Black Sisters. Rai and Andrews were both recently in Bride and Prejudice.

British actor Robbie Coltrane will play Rai's barrister while Miranda Richardson will be an inmate who helps her in prison.

[sher_panjabi]

i think the film tackles an important issue -- which everyone shud address and not hide in the carpet.

however i think the anand kaaraj using guru granth sahib ji was a step too far... wud have been better if they showed the actors go inside the gurdwara and in a studio showing them sitting together which people would assume was in the gurdwara... and the film them leaving the gurdwara.

filiming inside the diwaan hall is not nice -- because guru ji becomes treated as "prop" and its a false marriage... so instead they shud have fimed entering in and out of gurdwara... ppl wud have guessed that they got married... u dont have to film using dhan sri guru granth sahib ji being read and the granthi "pretending" to conduct a marriage be reading and re-reading the Laavan.

Daas' thoughts.

[anjaan]

yeah i agree with Sher Punjabi

domestic violence is a big issue!

i work in court and nearly every week we have a domestic violence case involving Punjabis,

it's really sad to see what these women have to go through, esp the ones from abroad because often they have no one to turn to

i remember one time in court

the man (form india) was on trial for beating his wife (born and raised in the UK) and we had to get an interpreter in (i'm not allowed to do it as an officer of the court) anyways the interpreter was like so screwed up!

instead of asking/explaing to the defendant the stuff being said he kept having a go at the victim in Punjabi.

he was like "oh you are a disgrace to the community, bringing your husband to court, shame on you blah blah blah" poor woman was totally distraught because that's the last thing you need when you have found the courage to stand up to what has happened

needless to say he was never called on again to interpret

and another time the victim (again the woman) didn't even make it to court because she was so scared, the court was cool about it and gave her time and support

also one time there was a case involving family friends of ours, i was real shocked because it's amazing to think what goes on behind closed doors and how we just put on an act and pretend everything is ok when it isn't!

[uk_khalistani]

My main concern about such a film is portray all Asian / Sikh guys in a negative light. It will re-enforce a stereotype that ALL Asian / Sikh guys are wife beaters to the non-Asian non-Sikh audience it will be yet another reason to be racist about.

I think this film will cause a lot friction....because it centers on a case were a woman murdered her husband, after years of abuse, but at the end is made out to be some kind of hero and a champion. How can that be? say if the tables are turned and a woman was the aggresser in the relationship and the man snaps one day and kills her cos of years of emotional or physical abuse do you think he should be hailed as some kind of hero and given awards?

I agree domestic violence is a big issue and does need to be tackled but do these kind of films really help?

[soldier_khalistani]

<mod deleted> Please dont swear again or you will be put under moderation

[mann_kaum_layee_qurbaan]

knowing bollywood they will show her get married as a sikh, then show her doing moorti pooja at her house....she will have a mangal sootra and sandoor on her forehead. I'm concerned about the Sikh wedding being filmed, but also I'm sure they will somehow show hindu and sikh beliefs intertwined as usual to dilute sikh identity....

[buddasingh]

I am not at all concerned how such a film may portray men WITHIN ie. AMONGST punjabi/sikh community as a huge percentage of men from all communities need a brain transplant with respect to attitudes toward women. A film made by the punjabi/sikh community about the punjabi/sikh community may work toward acheiving this.

However a film made by the OVERTLY DISCRIMINATORY & RACIST bollywood will largely stereotype communities, not portray a message about males. Is there any question if you look at the track record of the makers of the film and the track record of the target audience. Anjaan and sher you are very right about a critical need to address problems.

There is another racism angle to this type of thing outside indian culture. Punjabi's and Indians are full of so much self hatred. They portray so much pride, but are far too stupid to realize the consequences of their actions. They will do whatever it takes to get a little goraa attention because of thier inferiority complex. You will note that when it comes to the arts, academics, politics etc. if you are a minority whose work portrays a minority community in a worse light, you will win awards and get a great deal of public attention from the majority community.

Yes there are problems but there are many sell-outs who under the guise of addressing a problem find a cheap way to get attention. The irony is bollywood is in the multi-billion dollar business of feeding scenes to millions of families; scenes which suggest a womens role to be objects of soft-porn dances. If Bollywood and ms. a rai really wanted to change attitudes toward women they would eliminate themselves. Instead they propogate themselves. It's like hitler saying differences should be celebrated. ...telling analogy about the stupidity of those who follow a. rai and bollywood.

Somebody make a film about so called "film-makers".