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Shillong, November 3: The Punjabi film “Sarabha,” centered on the young Indian revolutionary Kartar Singh Sarabha, who was hanged by the British at the age of 19 in Lahore in 1915, is receiving a remarkable response from audiences in Canada and the United States as it premieres worldwide.
As per IANS, Kartar Singh Sarabha, one of the youngest Indians to face execution by the British, served as an inspiration to the renowned revolutionary Bhagat Singh.
Directed by Los Angeles-based filmmaker Kavi Raz, “Sarabha” has made history by becoming the first Punjabi film with English subtitles to open in an impressive 55 theaters across the United States. In Canada, the movie is also being screened in various theaters in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and more.
Kavi Raz, elated by the overwhelming response, stated, “Sarabha isn’t your typical Punjabi film. It is a historical document on the role of Gadar heroes in India’s Independence. ‘Sarabha’ was a young boy of just 19 who gave his life for his motherland. He inspired the great revolutionary Bhagat Singh.”
He further expressed his gratitude for the tremendous interest in “Sarabha” and the proactive promotion efforts undertaken by people in cities such as Surrey in Canada and Fresno in the US, where posters and flyers were distributed to promote the patriotic film.
Kavi Raz is considering meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to propose incorporating the film into the school curriculum, with the aim of instilling inspiration and pride in future generations of Punjabis.
Kartar Singh Sarabha, originally from Sarabha village (now part of Ludhiana), traveled to the US at the age of 15 to study at the University of Berkeley. However, he became involved in the Gadar movement, led by Indian expatriates in the US and Canada, dedicated to freeing India from British rule.
The film was shot in India, Canada, and the US, with Japtej, a native of Chandigarh, portraying the lead role of Sarabha. Kavi Raz, the film’s director, also takes on the role of Sohan Singh Bhakna, one of the prominent leaders of the Gadar movement.
Following his 2017 film “The Black Prince” centered on Maharaja Duleep Singh, “Sarabha” marks Kavi Raz’s second cinematic endeavor focused on historical Punjabi figures.