Latest news with #Punjabi-language
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Guru Nanak's Jahaz Film Brings Historical Depth to Halton, Highlighting the 1914 Komagata Maru Incident
As Asian Heritage Month wrapped up in Halton Region, one cinematic release stood out for its historical resonance and emotional impact. The Punjabi-language film Guru Nanak's Jahaz, directed by Sharan Art, premiered in cinemas across the region and the Greater Toronto Area following its worldwide release on May 1. The historical drama, funded in part by the Canadian government, explores the 1914 Komagata Maru incident, a key moment in Canada's immigration history, through the lens of Sikh faith, resilience, and the struggle for justice. The film struck a chord with South Asian communities in Milton, Oakville, Burlington, and surrounding areas. Local screenings drew large audiences and sparked conversations about identity, inclusion, and Canada's complex past. 'I had read about the Komagata Maru in school, but seeing it portrayed on screen with such depth and emotion gave me chills,' said Rajdeep Sandhu, a third-generation Canadian whose great-grandparents immigrated from Punjab. 'This movie reminded me of the courage it took for our elders to fight for the right to simply be treated as human beings.' On May 23, 1914, the Guru Nanak Jahaz steamship arrived in Vancouver's Burrard Inlet, carrying 376 passengers—340 Sikhs, 24 Muslims, and 12 Hindus, primarily from the Punjab region of India. Seeking better opportunities in Canada, they were instead met with exclusion. Despite being British subjects, they were denied entry due to discriminatory immigration laws. Confined to the ship without adequate food, water, or medical care, the passengers endured harsh conditions for two months. On July 23, 1914, the ship was ordered to turn back, forcing the passengers to return to India. Tragically, upon arrival, 19 were killed by gunfire, and many others were injured or imprisoned, branded as political agitators. The film uses historical records, personal accounts, and cultural insight to depict the voyage and its aftermath, bringing a little-known story to wider audiences. Ayesha Malik, a Milton resident originally from Pakistan, brought her two teenage children to one of the screenings. 'As a South Asian Muslim woman, I found this film incredibly unifying,' she said. 'The story transcends religious boundaries—it's about a shared struggle for dignity. Watching it with my children during Asian Heritage Month felt like an important way to honour our collective history in Canada.' The screenings were part of a broader month-long celebration across Halton, which included cultural exhibits, storytelling initiatives, and panel discussions. One such event, held in Oakville following a screening of Guru Nanak's Jahaz, featured educators and historians reflecting on the impact of historical immigration policies and their lasting legacy. 'This movie helped me see my grandparents' journey in a new light,' said Sanjay Krishnan, a young professional from Oakville. 'They arrived in the '70s, decades after the Komagata Maru, but the themes of exclusion, hope, and resilience are the same.' For many, the film was not only a tribute to the past but also a reminder of the work still required to build inclusive communities. 'We need more projects like this—especially ones that are accessible to young people,' said Shama Bano, one of the founding members of the Desi Moms group in Milton. 'It brings context and meaning to why we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, and why representation matters in our cultural storytelling.' The Canadian government's involvement in funding the film highlights the country's commitment to preserving and sharing stories of South Asian heritage. This support allowed the filmmakers to create a project that reaches both local and international audiences, shedding light on an important chapter of Canada's history. As Guru Nanak's Jahaz continues its theatrical run, including strong box office numbers in India, it has emerged as one of the most successful Punjabi-language films of 2025. For audiences in Halton Region, its impact extended beyond entertainment, offering a powerful lens through which to reflect on shared histories and future aspirations. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
16-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Lawn signs, local forums — how candidates communicate with voters
The federal election campaign is past the halfway point, with election day less than two weeks away. But while many voters will watch the party leaders' debates tonight and tomorrow, they will ultimately cast a ballot for a local candidate. While campaign lawn signs featuring candidates' names are in full bloom, local debates are few and far between this election. Are these long-standing practices still relevant in the social media age? "I'm a firm believer that election signs are doing a public service," said Alex Marland, a political scientist and professor at Acadia University. "When it comes to debates, that's a totally other affair." Fewer debates a common trend Only a few Edmonton-area ridings have debates or multi-candidate forums scheduled. My Radio 580 held a Punjabi-language radio debate on April 11, featuring three candidates from Edmonton Southeast — Conservative Jagsharan Singh Mahal, NDP candidate Harpreet Grewal and Liberal candidate (and current Edmonton mayor) Amarjeet Sohi. In St. Albert-Sturgeon River, all five candidates in that riding participated in an election forum on April 2. In the riding of Edmonton Centre, a debate organized by the Wîhkwêntôwin Community League is taking place Wednesday. All 10 candidates running in the riding were invited, and nine have confirmed attendance, with the exception of Conservative candidate Sayid Ahmed. Colten Bishop, the events manager for the community league, said the campaign told organizers that it was committed to door knocking and unable to attend. "And we respect their decision," he said. Based on the RSVPs for the free event, Bishop said they're expecting close to a capacity crowd of 200. That enthusiasm was also apparent in the responses from the campaigns that confirmed. "They were very quick to respond," said Bishop. "We've even had candidates that have had to shift their schedules around quite significantly so they could be a part of this." The diminishing importance of local debates of forums is a trend playing out beyond Alberta, according to Marland. Debates are "adversarial by nature," and candidates might be wary of getting ganged up on — particularly incumbents. "And in an age of social media and people having smartphones, the risk is very high of them saying something or a controversy emerging that is going to damage their prospects," said Marland. By contrast, he said the leaders' debates are a "focusing event — they are the time when most people start really paying attention to the campaign." A 'low cost' form of communication Election signs, however, are still a useful tool. At a minimum, they make sure that even people who might not follow the news are aware an election is taking place. John Pracejus, a marketing professor at the University of Alberta, said campaign signs can help increase awareness of a local candidate's name. They can also have a "bandwagon" effect — making it seem like a candidate is so popular, they must be worth considering voting for. Partisan signs can be a target of theft or vandalism during election campaigns. Nevertheless, Pracejus said they offer considerable value for money in terms of messaging. Outdoor signs "are actually a relatively low cost way of communicating simple messages, and I don't think that's changed," he said. "I think the impact of digital outlets and the digital platforms like Meta and Google have really largely been on radio, television, newspapers, magazines, things like that that really don't have a very big chunk of consumer attention anymore." Not only do physical signs avoid any algorithmic manipulation by social media platforms, they also cut through individualized silos of media consumption — one of the few mediums that can still do so in the digital age, noted Pracejus. Those polarized echo chambers are also Marland believes voters are not well served by adversarial local debates. "What should be happening at the local level is people should be talking about town halls, they should be talking about meet-the-candidate events — things not involving aggression [or] polarization, but instead, encourage meeting people and having good conversations."
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Hania Aamir wasting time on Indian projects, says Nadia Khan
Listen to article Pakistani actress and TV host Nadia Khan has expressed strong views on fellow star Hania Aamir's recent work in India, stating that the young actress is "wasting her time" pursuing projects across the border. Speaking on a recent television programme, Nadia commented that Hania's focus on public relations (PR) in India is unproductive. 'The time Hania is wasting there could be used more effectively elsewhere,' she remarked. Khan further referenced past tensions between the Indian and Pakistani entertainment industries, pointing out that the upcoming Punjabi film featuring Hania alongside Indian stars Diljit Dosanjh and Sonam Bajwa is already facing talks of restrictions. Despite the criticism, Hania Aamir continues to rise in popularity, boasting the highest number of Instagram followers among Pakistani actresses and enjoying a large fan base in both Pakistan and India. The upcoming Punjabi-language film marks a significant cross-border collaboration, eagerly anticipated by audiences on both sides.
Express Tribune
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Mahira and Humayun set to reunite in 'Love Guru'
The Bin Roye leads are reuniting for romance feature Love Guru, a Nadeem Baig film slated for Eidul Azha this year. The screenplay is written by Vasay Chaudhry. "Presenting the official poster of Love Guru, starring the ever-charming Humayun Saeed and the breathtaking Mahira Khan!" the director wrote on Instagram. "Witness their chemistry unfold on the silver screen this Eidul Azha!" Unveiled on Tuesday, the poster features Mahira in a breezy white dress and Humayun in a classy suit vest, as they hold each other under the spotlight in what appears to be a vacant mansion. As specks of light trickle down on the two, a soft instrumental plays on top, promising a tale of romance layered with unforgettable music. Fans were quick to express their anticipation in the comments section. "This is too far away!" a user wrote. "Wait, am I dreaming? After a decade, the Bin Roye cast reunion is finally happening!" another gushed. Mahira's fans in particular are excited to see the star on the big screen once more. "It's been a hot minute since we've seen you on the big screen. So excited for this! All the best," a user wrote, while another said, "OMG! Can't wait to see you on the big screen. This is going to be a hit." Although not much is known about the film, it was filmed in the UK, as confirmed by Mahira at an event in London in November last year. "I've only done one project here. We've been shooting it for over a month. It's a film, Love Guru," she said in a video uploaded by Arab News on YouTube. Love Guru will mark Mahira's return to the big screen after three years. Previously, she starred in The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022), a reboot of the Punjabi-language film following the same eponymous character. Also starring Fawad Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi, the film grossed $13.8 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time. According to Screen Daily, a British film publication, it broke records at the UK box office, becoming the highest-grossing picture from South Asia at the time. Meanwhile, Humayun's catalogue is also packed with hit films, including London Nahi Jaungi (2022) and Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015). In 2018, his film Punjab Nahi Jaungi became the highest-grossing film of its time, surpassing Humayun's previous venture, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani.
