Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh while ordering ban on the movie said, " movie promotes violence, heinous crimes, extortion, threats and criminal intimidation."
The CM has also directed DGP Dinkar Gupta to look into the possible action which could be taken against one of the film's producers, KV Dhillon, who in the year 2019 had reportedly promised in writing, that he would make necessary changes in the movie, originally titled "Sukh Kahlvan." The DGP has also been asked to look into the role of the promoters, directors and actors of the movie.
According to an official spokesperson, Captain Amarinder Singh has made it clear that under his rule no such movie, songs, promoting violence, crime and hooliganism will be released in the state, which had flourished during the Akali regime, under patronage of SAD leaders.
However, the DGP disclosed the matter of banning this controversial movie in Punjab had been discussed in a meeting with the CM on Friday, along-with a proposal from ADGP Intelligence Varinder Kumar, recommending to put ban on the mopvie, whose trailer was released on January 18, suggested that the film was "highly radical."
In a letter to Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, the ADGP had further stated in view of the expected consequences of the movie on youth and apprehensions of disturbance of public order said, " It would be appropriate if the release and screening of the movie be banned in the state of Punjab."
Following the complaint received by Mohali police about the movie magnifying gangster Kahlwan, who used to describe himself as "sharp-shooter" was allegedly involved in more than 20 cases, including murder, kidnapping and extortion, Producer had given his commitment to make necessary changes. Sukha Kahlva shot dead by gangster Vicky Gounder and his accomplices on January 22, 2015, while he was being brought back to Patiala Jail after a court hearing in Jalandhar.
In his letter, Dhillon had written to SSP Mohali that "since you are of the opinion that the content of the film may hurt law and order situation, I am discontinuing the film project."
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, according to the DGP.
The decision to ban the movie comes less than 10 days after the Mansa Police registered a case against Punjabi singers Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu (Sidhu Moose Wala) and Mankirat Aulakh for propagating violence and crime through a video clip uploaded on social media.
It may be recalled that the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Civil Writ Petition 6213/2016 had already directed the DGPs of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory, Chandigarh to ensure that no songs are played glorifying the liquor, drugs and violence in any song even in the live shows. The Court further directed that District Magistrates/SSPs of each district would be personally responsible for strict compliance of these directions.