‘Nanak Shah Fakir’ is about spirituality not religion
The upcoming film Nanak Shah Fakir, presented by Gurbani Media Production, derives from the monotheistic idea Sikhism bases itself on. Ik Onkar (there’s only one God) is the crux of their philosophy. Based on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, the film propagates a larger universal message of harmony.
Producer Harinder S Sikka narrates how he came upon the idea. “I was in the Indian Navy till 1993. In 1999, during the Kargil war, I went back to the war zone as a journalist. It was at the battlefield that I picked up a story of a Kashmiri Muslim woman. She was a spy for India and married a Pakistani. Her job made her responsible for the elimination of her husband and father-in-law (both in notable positions in the Pakistani army). She was in depression when she was brought back. A noble saint cured her. I wrote a book Calling Sehmat on her. When I went to her to buy rights of this book for a film, she insisted I make it on Guru Nanak. A Muslim lady wanting to make a book on Guru Nanak is not something I was expecting,” says he.
Shooting the film was extremely draining for Harinder Sikka, both monetarily and emotionally. He says, “I was taken to the cleaners by thugs from my team. They would quote exorbitant amounts, taking advantage of my lack of expertise in this field. But it was balanced out by people who unconditionally supported me. When I was facing problems with my Gujarat schedule of the shoot, Narendra Modi, who was then the CM, extended his support. In Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray promised me his help. Uttam Singh (music), Resul Pookutty (co-producer and sound designer), AR Rahman (score mentor) and Pandit Jasraj came on board without a single penny. The people who tried to steal our film and sell it in the black market were unsuccessful.”
In films, songs are usually born out of the story, but in this case, the story was constructed around eight hymns that Guru Nanak wrote 500 years ago. Co-producer Samar Sikka informs us that Singh took the songs to Abbey Road Studios in London for mastering. Rahman was recommended by Pookutty and the Oscar-winning maestro mentored the film’s sound. The film’s original score is done by Finnish composer Tuomas Kantelinen.
There were miracles on set while filming. “When we shot in Leh, the sun was up all along despite low temperatures. In Maharashtra, the set was intact despite a downpour,” said Sikka.
Hardliners might have raised objections, but Sikka’s intention is to address communal harmony with the film. “Guruji’s story is incomplete without Bhai Mardana who is a Muslim. This isn’t a movie about religion but more about spirituality,” says Sikka. As for showing Guru Nanak in human form, director of photography AK Bir carefully constructed the face shots digitally. He adds, “Nanak exalted his mental vision to an ethical ideal beyond the conception of Hindu or Mohammedan.”
Actor Arif Zakaria says, “Playing Bhai Mardana was gratifying and daunting. The core simplicity of the man and his blind belief in the message of his ‘friend’ Nanak compelled Mardana to sacrifice everything.” Gitanjali Sehgal is the associate producer of the film that also features Puneet Sikka, Anurag Arora and Shraddha Kaul in prominent roles.
