The much-awaited Punjabi movie Akaal was released in theaters on April 10, 2025. Akaal is a historical drama that marks the debut of Karan Johar's Dharma Production in Pollywood i.e., the Punjabi movie industry. Written & Directed by Gippy Grewal, Akaal revolves around a Sikh family who goes on a war with a tyrant ruler named Changi Jahana. It depicts the valor of Sikhs against the intruders who tried to invade India. Despite this storyline, Akaal has sparked an outrage in Punjab with multiple Sikh outfits demanding immediate suspension of the movie's screening. Below is what you need to know-
Why is Akaal facing flak in Punjab?
Akaal has been accused of hurting religious sentiments. As per reports, a group of Sikh protestors, led by members of the Nihang Singh sect and the Sikh organization "Sikh Youth Power," staged a protest against the Punjabi film Akaal in Ludhiana. The protest took place at a cinema inside the Wave Mall, where the demonstrators demanded the immediate suspension of the film's screening.
Led by Sikh Youth Power president Pradeep Singh Ayali, the protestors stated that the film misrepresents Sikh identity and beliefs. Nihang Singh members entered the mall and approached the cinema management to stop the screening. In response, police officers from Sarabha Nagar police station were deployed to ensure security at the cinema.
Ayali slammed actor Gippy Grewal for allegedly distorting Sikh traditions. "On one hand, Gippy Grewal performs as a regular actor in films dancing with women, and on the other, he is seen wearing the sacred Nihang attire in this film. Altering the traditional attire for entertainment is against religious values," said Ayali.
Protests erupted against Akaal in multiple cities of Punjab. IANS quoted Baba Bakshish Singh who accused the film of disrespecting Sikhs and hurting religious sentiments. Baba Bakshish Singh said that the film inappropriately portrays Sikh characters and shows them drinking, consuming tobacco, or as 'mundit' (without hair).
Singh further argued that if Gippy Grewal’s film is based on Sikh warriors like Hari Singh Nalua or Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, then those playing them should be shown with full reverence and dignity. He also threatened that he would not let such films be released in the theatres.
Gippy Grewal on his Punjabi movie Akaal
According to official statements by Gippy Grewal, Sardar Akaal Singh, the lead character in the film, is a fictional creation. However, the events and socio-political setting in which the story unfolds are deeply inspired by real incidents from Punjab’s history after Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839.
Gippy Grewal quoted by Social News XYZ said, "The character of Akaal is fictional, but it is based on what was happening in Punjab at that time. It draws inspiration from real circumstances."
The story of “Akaal” unfolds during the political instability following Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign — a time when Punjab was dealing with external invasions, internal betrayal, and falling unity among Sikh warriors. The film’s antagonist, Jangi Jahan, represents those forces that aimed to break Sikh resistance. This mirrors real history, where the collapse of the Sikh Empire, growing British influence, and internal strife laid the groundwork for the empire’s eventual downfall.