The gangster used to describe himself as a "sharpshooter"
Upcoming Punjabi gangster film Shooter has been banned by the state government as it allegedly glorifies the crimes of notorious gangster Sukha Kahlwan.
The Punjab Police has also registered a case against the film’s producer KV Singh Dhillon for promoting violence, heinous crimes, gangsterism, drugs, extortion and intimidation.
According to the FIR, the film will instigate youths to take up arms and to disturb the peace.
The ban was ordered by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on February 9, 2020.
The statement said:
“Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered a ban on the movie Shooter, which is based on the life and crimes of notorious gangster Sukha Kahlwan and promotes violence, heinous crimes, extortion, threat and criminal intimidation.”
A trailer for the film was released and it has over 7 million views on YouTube.
According to the statement, Mr Dhillon said he would cancel the production of Shooter after the Mohali Police received a complaint about the film “glorifying” Kahlwan.
However, the film was finished and a case has subsequently been registered against Mr Dhillon.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered a ban on the movie `Shooter’, which is based on the life and crimes of gangster Sukha Kahlwan and "promotes violence, heinous crimes, extortion, threats and criminal intimidation". pic.twitter.com/jf8NIOg6ce
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2020
The gangster used to describe himself as a “sharpshooter” and was involved in over 20 cases, including murder, kidnapping and extortion.
Kahlwan was being transported back to Patiala Central Jail after a court hearing when he was murdered by rival gangster Vicky Gounder on January 22, 2015.
This is not the first time where a biopic on a gangster was being produced in Punjab. Previously, a film based on the life of Rupinder Gandhi was released.
Additional DGP Varinder Kumar wrote a letter to Additional Chief Secretary Satish Chandra asking if it would be appropriate to ban the film in the state.
Minister Singh directed Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta to look into possible action against Mr Dhillon who had promised to cancel the film, originally titled Sukha Kahlwan.
Gupta has also been asked to look into the involvement of the director and actors.
DGP Gupta stated that the issue of banning Shooter was raised during a meeting Minister Singh on February 7. DGP Kumar had recommended the film to be banned after suggesting it was controversial.
Gupta said: “But instead of abandoning the project, the producers evidently went ahead with the film, which was now scheduled for release on February 21 under the new title with a new name for its leading protagonist.”
A Punjab-based lawyer had previously written a letter to the government, seeking a ban on the film.
The decision to ban the film comes just after the police registered a case against singers Sidhu Moose Wala and Mankirat Aulakh for spreading violence through a video that was uploaded on social media.
Watch the Trailer for Shooter
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