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Film on
Maharaja Duleep Singh releases in NY
 New
York: A DVD film on the life of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last
emperor of the sovereign Sikh state, entitled “Beinsafi Di Daastan”,
was released at a function organized here. Maharaja Duleep Singh was
the youngest son of the legendary Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The film has been produced by Amarjeet Singh, a Chandigarh-based
filmmaker best known for several tele films and documentaries on the
Sikhs and Punjab’s history. He has been visiting USA, Canada & UK to
promote this film. Addressing the audience and the media, producer
Amarjeet Singh said that this film titled
“Beinsafi Di Daastan” is not only a film but a true historical
document on the subject. Earlier he had produced a film in English
title ‘A Monument of Injustice’ on the same subject which was
released in USA and UK last year. This film acclaimed worldwide
recognition, the film has been screened at six international film
festivals in India, UK, Canada and USA, telecasted on B4U Movie
Channel in over 60 countries and above all a special screening was
organized at the House of Common in UK Parliament.
Now on a great public demand the Punjabi version of this film has
been re-produced in a different format and presentation.
Elaborating upon the making of the film, Amarjeet Singh disclosed
that the Punjabi version was made keeping in view the taste of
Punjabi audience all over the world. As claimed by the producer,
this is the first ever film made on the Sikh Raaj, depicting the
historical incidents, like how the Sikh Empire was established by
Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1799 and how it was lost after 50 fifty
years in 1849. The film very interestingly depicts a history of deep
rooted controversies and betrayals, how the young Sikh Maharaja was
separated from his mother Rani Jind Kaur, how he was converted to
Christianity, sent to UK and was politically detained there for 40
years, his return to his original faith Sikhism, then death in
miserable conditions in Paris in 1893. This is a heart rending story
of Sikh history !! The rare Relics, monuments, documents and places
related to the Sikh Raaj are also shown in this film including the
Original Kooh-i-noor diamond, The Golden Throne of Maharaja Ranjit
Singh, hand written letters of Maharaja Duleep Singh and his rare
family photographs make the film more authentic. The shooting of
film was done in UK and India. The film has been directed by Prof.
P. Nirola, Music by Varinder Bachhan / Lyrics : Rattan Babakwala /
Voice over: Kulwinder Khanda / Camera : Jatinder Sharma. The post
production and other technical works were done in Mumbai. The
research and script has been done by the producer himself.
The function was attended by a large gathering of prominent persons
of the NY region, including the members of various Sikh Gurdwara
Committees, Cultural Societies, Social Organizations, Business
personalities, and Journalists representing Print and electronic
media.
The main speaker of the function was Dr. Amarjeet Singh, Washington;
he briefed the audience with his scholarly views on the subject, the
need of such film for the community and also the role of electronic
media in the present times when the Sikh community all over the
World, is under attack from various directions, with different
intentions. He said that it’s the electronic media which can tell
world about their identity, Status and rights.
On behalf of Ravi Punjabi TV, Choudhary Shaftak, Mr. Riaz Barrar and
Peer Wajid Ali were also present and congratulated the producer.
On this occasion Mr. Avtar Singh Pannu, President Richmond Hill
Gurdwara, Mr. Pritam Singh Gilzian , President Gurdwara Makhan Shah
Lubana, NY, Mr. Jaswinder Jassa , President Shaheed Udham Singh
Foundation NY. Mr. Gurmit Singh, Balwinder Bhaura Journalists and
some other members representing different Gurdwara Committees also
spoke on the occasion and congratulated the producer of the film for
this pioneering effort. They also assured to give full support for
promoting this historical film in North America by arranging special
shows in the Gurdwaras or by making arrangements of providing DVDs
of this film for people through different outlets.
The DVD containing both the the versions ( Punjabi. & English) was
released and the screening of Punjabi version of this film .. “
Beinsafi Di Daastan” was also screened. Producer Amarjeet Singh was
also honored on the occasion.
The function was hosted by Harwinder Riar . In the end Dr. Ranjit
Singh N.Y. thanked the management of Ravi TV, the guests and the
media to make the function memorable.
2 Januuary
2008
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