Punjab bans ‘Shooter’ film; case registered against producer

Chandigarh: Punjab Police on Sunday registered a case against producer / promoter KV Singh Dhillon and others for allegedly promoting violence, heinous crimes, gangsterism, drugs extortion, threats and criminal intimidation, the Tribune newspaper reported.

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had earlier ordered a ban on the movie ‘Shooter’, which is based on the life and crimes of notorious gangster Sukha Kahlwan, Punjab Police on Sunday.

Kahlwan used to describe himself as a “sharpshooter” and was allegedly involved in more than 20 cases, including murder, kidnapping and extortion.

He was 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.

The charge said the movie ‘Shooter’ is likely to instigate youngsters to take up arms, and disturb peace and harmony.

The case came after the chief minister directed Director-General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta to look into the possible action that could be initiated against KV Singh Dhillon, who had reportedly promised in writing, back in 2019, that he would shelve the movie, originally titled ‘Sukha Khalwan’, the Tribune reported.

The producer had written to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Mohali after police received a complaint about the movie 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 the producers evidently went ahead with the film, which was now scheduled for release on February 21 under the new title, according to the DGP.

The DGP had also been asked to look into the role of the promoters, directors and actors of the movie.

The Tribune newspaper noted that just a few days ago the Mansa Police had registered a case against Punjabi singers Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu (Sidhu Moosewala) and Mankirat Aulakh for propagating violence and crime through a video clip uploaded on social media.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court in Civil Writ Petition 6213/2016 had already directed the DGPs of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh to ensure that no songs are played glorifying liquor, drugs and violence in any song, even in live shows.

The court further directed that District Magistrates / SSPs of each district would be personally responsible for strict compliance of these directions.