NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Nanak Shah Fakir is an upcoming spiritual trip at the movies. A first-of-its-kind Hindi film in over 500 years of Sikh history, it is based on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, depicted through the voice of his friend, companion and disciple ‘Bhai Mardana’, a Muslim Fakir.
Produced by Harinder Sikka and blessed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest Sikh body, Nanak Shah Fakir uses high-end computer graphics to depict Guru Nanak from the back and amidst a ray of light, in line with the time honoured tradition of not showing the Saint’s face. Yet, it emanates the spirit of a lively soul. Others in the cast include Arif Zakaria, Adil Hussain & Puneet Sikka.
Shot on an epic scale in multiple locations, the film has brought together some of the biggest names in the world of films. Oscar winners A.R. Rahman and Resul Pookutty are spearheading the star-studded crew, with Rahman as the mentor of the entire score and Pookutty as the sound designer and co-producer. The songs of Nanak Shah Fakir have been composed by Uttam Singh, with the shabads (spiritual hymns) having been sung by the highest civilian awardees, Pandit Jasraj and Bhai Nirmal Singh. Eminent Finnish composer Tuomas Kantelinen has done the background score. The film has been shot by multiple-National Award-winner cinematographer A.K. Bir.
From a dream about Nanak that Sikka had in 2004 to the realisation of this colossal project, Nanak Shah Fakir has truly been a film made of miracles. Says producer Harinder Sikka: ” I am not a filmmaker. Thus making a film of such an epic proportion on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak with the guidance and support of people like Resul, AR Rahman and others, has been but a divine grace, a miracle in itself. The overall experience has been overwhelming, gracious and deeply humbling.”
Ever since the news of the film coming to a worldwide release – on April 17, 2015 – has spread, there has been a phenomenal response and people from across the world have been reaching out to support Nanak Shah Fakir and spread its message.
The trailer of the much-awaited epic was launched today at an event in Chandigarh.
[toggle title=”SYNOPSIS”]The film, Nanak Shah Fakir, is named after and based on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak. A first-of-its-kind Hindi film in about 600 years of Sikh history it follows the great saint on an epic journey and has been depicted through the voice of his friend, companion and disciple ‘Bhai Mardana’, a Muslim Fakir. Produced by Harinder Sikka and blessed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest Sikh body, Nanak Shah Fakir uses high-end computer graphics to depict Guru Nanak from the back and amidst a ray of light, in line with the time honoured tradition of not showing the Saint’s face. Yet, it emanates the spirit of a lively soul. Born in 1469 A.D. Nanak traveled the world to spread the essence of ‘Ik Onkar’ (there’s but One God) as a philosophy and way of life. A philosophy that has survived and risen above the flux of conflict and time, impacting over 50 million followers worldwide and giving birth to ‘SIKHISM’ as a way of life. (‘Sikh’ signifies a disciple). Throughout his life, Guru Nanak shared his blessings of divine knowledge through mystic and soulfully divine music. He sang to the Lord and taught us, ordinary mortals, the virtues of peace, love and harmony. Guru Nanak was referred to as ‘Shah’ by the Muslims and ‘Fakir’ by the Hindus, the highest honor given in both religions and hence came to be known as ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’. Music plays the most prominent role as his songs (Shabads as they are known) have been used in most places instead of dialogues. The beauty is that the musical instruments used during recording were similar to those used in 1400-1500 A.D. Shot on an epic scale in multiple locations, the film has brought together some of the biggest names in the world of films. Oscar winners A.R. Rahman and Resul Pookutty are spearheading the star-studded crew, with Rahman as the mentor of the entire score and Pookutty as the sound designer and co-producer. The songs of Nanak Shah Fakir have been composed by Uttam Singh, with the shabads (spiritual hymns) having been sung by the Padma awardees, Pandit Jasraj and Bhai Nirmal Singh. Eminent Finnish composer Tuomas Kantelinen has done the background score. The film has been shot by multiple-National Award-winner cinematographer A.K. Bir and the upcoming star Sandip Patil. The film has been appreciated by critics for its all-round production value, cinematography and historic content at the Cannes Film Festival 2014 as well as the recently concluded Sikh International Film Festivals in Toronto (SIFFT) 2014. And Los Angles (Nov 2014). The purpose of the film is to take forward Guru Nanak’s message which is also an urgent need of the hour, given that vested interests and fanaticism of a few is deflating the spirit of the whole of humanity. The film being a divine gift, we pledge all proceeds from this film for good causes, and in helping reinstate the pious teachings of Guru Nanak. [/toggle]
Nanak Shah Fakir – Official Teaser | Guru Nanak Dev Ji | New Hindi Movie 2015 Releasing April 17th
