Punjab government bans 'Shooter' movie for glorifying violence, crime

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered a ban on the movie, Shooter, which allegedly glorifies violence, crime and threat.

The Chief Minister has also directed DGP Dinkar Gupta to look into the possible action that could be taken against one of the film producer, KV Dhillon.

The story, based on a gangster Sukha Kahlwan, who describes himself as “sharpshooter”, who was facing more than 20 cases, including murder, kidnapping. He was shot dead by gangster Vicky Gounder on January 25, 2015.

According to the government statement, the director had reportedly promised in writing, back in 2019, that he would shelve the movie, originally titled `Sukha Khalwan.’ The DGP has also been asked to look into the role of the promoters, directors, and actors of the movie.

“Captain Amarinder-led government has come a long way in the past three years to restore Punjab’s law and order, which had hit a new low under the previous SAD-BJP regime,” the statement said, adding that the CM has directed the police to ensure that nothing is allowed to disturb the states’ peace and communal harmony.

Further, ADGP Intelligence Varinder Kumar said, “In view of the expected repercussions of the movie on the youth and apprehensions of disturbance of public order, it would be appropriate if the release and screening of the movie be banned in the state of Punjab.”

Earlier, the Producer had given his commitment after the Mohali police received a complaint about the movie glorifying Kahlwan. 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 a changed title and 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.