NewZNew (Chandigarh) : The controversial leader of the Dera Sachcha Sauda sect, Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim, has starred in a film that some Sikh bodies say should be banned as it could cause trouble in Punjab. Under pressure from radical Sikh groups, the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal body of Sikhs, has asked the Punjab government to ban “MSG” or “Messenger of God”, which is set to release on January 16.
The movie stars the Dera chief in the lead role and shows him as a swashbuckling hero fighting “social evils,” wearing flashy costumes. Sikh bodies have expressed concern that dialogues in the film are provocative and some of them have the Dera Chief challenging Sikhs. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has not stepped into the row till now and has said it is up to the Censor Board to decide whether the film should be released.
There have been frequent clashes between Sikhs and Dera followers since 2007, when Gurmeet Singh was accused of dressing up like Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru. The Dera chief is also facing criminal cases of sexual abuse and murder at a court in Haryana.
Reports suggest the movie was completed in less than three months and will be available in four languages, including Hindi and English. A popular South Indian actress is reportedly the Baba’s co-star in the film. The Dera says the film will also have an international release. Its trailer, released online on Friday, has seen nearly 66,000 views.
The 47-year-old Baba is a colourful figure off screen as well. He has posed for photos in many different attires and looks. He has also released six music albums, the latest called “Love Chargers.” Established in 1948, the Dera cult claims a strong following in pockets of Punjab. Its current guru is its most headline-grabbing yet.
