Showing posts with label Sartaj Singh Pannu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sartaj Singh Pannu. Show all posts
Nanak Shah Fakhir producer Harinder Sikka stands vindicated
7:40 AM
Delhi HC revokes the ban on the film
Mohar Basu (BOMBAY TIMES; June 8, 2015)
The journey of Nanak Shah
Fakir has been exasperating for the film's producer Harinder S
Sikka. After the draining experience of shooting, the film's release ran
into troubled waters and a two-month ban in Punjab was slapped on it
because Sartaj Singh Pannu claimed to be the sole director and managed
to bring a stay on the release from the Delhi High Court. But Sikka
believes that the film has the blessings of the Providence and it was
almost a miracle that Pannu was put in place by the court in a 43-page
ruling on May 22.
According to Sikka, Pannu attempted to hamper the film by trying to procure a stay order on its release by claiming to be the director and by also demanding authorship rights. But he didn't get any relief from the law.
Asked about the turmoil following the ban and his plans of re-releasing the film, Sikka says, “The judgment is a wake-up call for all the mischief mongers. It was challenging to navigate through shark-infested Bollywood waters. The response to the film globally was overwhelming and humbling. It was temporarily withdrawn so that the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee's (SGPC) appointed team comprising learned members of great repute, can appreciate the historical facts. We are not sure about the date of re-release yet. We're in talks with distributors and re-releasing it will require another five to six crores. Our aim is not to make profit from the film. So, we want to take time and ensure our future strategy to be as neat as possible. We are looking at releasing the movie in 40 countries next.“
According to Sikka, Pannu attempted to hamper the film by trying to procure a stay order on its release by claiming to be the director and by also demanding authorship rights. But he didn't get any relief from the law.
Asked about the turmoil following the ban and his plans of re-releasing the film, Sikka says, “The judgment is a wake-up call for all the mischief mongers. It was challenging to navigate through shark-infested Bollywood waters. The response to the film globally was overwhelming and humbling. It was temporarily withdrawn so that the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee's (SGPC) appointed team comprising learned members of great repute, can appreciate the historical facts. We are not sure about the date of re-release yet. We're in talks with distributors and re-releasing it will require another five to six crores. Our aim is not to make profit from the film. So, we want to take time and ensure our future strategy to be as neat as possible. We are looking at releasing the movie in 40 countries next.“
Tom Alter stages solo protest in Delhi theatre against 'copyright violation' by Nanak Shah Fakir producer
10:19 AM
Ankita Bhatkhande & Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 18, 2015)
Nanak Shah Fakir, the Guru Nanak bio-pic, released on Friday. And the
battle over its creative rights took a dramatic turn. Sartaj Singh
Pannu, who claims to be the director, has taken producer Harinder Sikka
to court for allegedly usurping his directorial credit. The case was
filed in Delhi High court in November 2014. A judgement is expected on
Monday. The film opened three days earlier with Sikka mentioning
Gurunanak Shah Fakir, the Almighty, as the director.
Tom Alter, part of the film's cast, protested the exclusion of Pannu's name from the credits by standing outside a theatre in Delhi with a board which announced, "The film is directed by Sartaj Singh Pannu. In the holy name of Guru Nanak Ji, let the truth prevail."
When quizzed, he said, "More than the legal battle this is my way of showing my dissent to this gross case of injustice and copyright violation to Pannu by the production company. I've seen him working hard. It's sad that the film has released without his name." He was the solo protester at the spot.
Pannu said that the producer had always wanted to hog the entire credit and treated him as an assistant on the sets. "I spent two-and-a-half years on the Rs 35 crore project only to find that Sikka had released the trailer online with his name as the director. I have 60 testimonials from my unit, imcluding Tom Alter, Arif Zakaria and Adil Hussain in my support."
Sikka however insisted that Pannu was thrown out on October 25, 2013, for his abusive behaviour, unwillingness to shoot a song and for putting up a website mentioning himself as the writer, director and producer. "Why should I not release when all the film associations, IMPPA, IFTDA and FWICE, have not objected to the release?" he argued.
Tom Alter, part of the film's cast, protested the exclusion of Pannu's name from the credits by standing outside a theatre in Delhi with a board which announced, "The film is directed by Sartaj Singh Pannu. In the holy name of Guru Nanak Ji, let the truth prevail."
When quizzed, he said, "More than the legal battle this is my way of showing my dissent to this gross case of injustice and copyright violation to Pannu by the production company. I've seen him working hard. It's sad that the film has released without his name." He was the solo protester at the spot.
Pannu said that the producer had always wanted to hog the entire credit and treated him as an assistant on the sets. "I spent two-and-a-half years on the Rs 35 crore project only to find that Sikka had released the trailer online with his name as the director. I have 60 testimonials from my unit, imcluding Tom Alter, Arif Zakaria and Adil Hussain in my support."
Sikka however insisted that Pannu was thrown out on October 25, 2013, for his abusive behaviour, unwillingness to shoot a song and for putting up a website mentioning himself as the writer, director and producer. "Why should I not release when all the film associations, IMPPA, IFTDA and FWICE, have not objected to the release?" he argued.
I respect Resul Pookutty, but have sent him a legal notice-Sartaj Singh Pannu
7:41 AM
Sartaj Singh Pannu has taken the producers of an upcoming film, including the sound artist, to court
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 27, 2015)
Director Sartaj Singh Pannu has filed a case in the Delhi High Court against the producers of the film Nanak Shah Fakir — Oscar winning sound artist Resul Pookutty and Harinder Singh Sikka. He has alleged that Sikka has wrongfully taken credit as the director of the upcoming film, claiming that it was him who helmed the biopic of Guru Nanak Dev.
"A case has been filed by me against Gurbani Media Entertainment, in
Delhi High Court. I respect Resul sir, but since he is a co-director of
the company, he too has been sent a legal notice," Sartaj told Mirror. It was actor Tom Alter, who plays a pivotal role in the film, who introduced Sartaj to the producers.
"I came on board as the director in October, 2013 and spent two-and-a-half years on the Rs 35-crore project only to realise that Harinder Sikka released the trailer of the film online and mentioned himself as the director of the film," says Sartaj, who has filed the case with 60 testimonials from members of the unit, a signed affidavit from Tom Alter and is also supported by Arif Zakaria who plays Mardana and Adil Hussain, who plays Rai Bhullar in the film.
The film's screenplay and dialogues have been written by Sagar Sarhadi, whose repertoire boasts of Yash Chopra classics like Silsila and Lamhe and Sartaj claims, "Even he hasn't been credited in the film."
When contacted Resul Pookutty said, "I am aware that the final case hearing is on April 7 and I abstain from further comment as the matter is subjudice. Also, I am aware of the contract between the parties and as per that, there was more than one director."
The film that has music by A R Rahman, has been caught in multiple controversies since it was announced in 2012. Sikh community had slammed it and the Sikh Students Federation is demanding a ban on its release on April 17, in Punjab.
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