10 reviews
***UPDATE: The film was re-released after significant editing to placate some orthodox sensitivities in India. The film has been significantly harmed by this editing. I was lucky to have watched it during its initial release in 2015. I wish for everyone's sake that the producers find a way to make the original version available - at least outside India. I'm not changing my rating officially, but I would consider it a 7 at this point. Thanks.
It is too bad that some religious sensitivities in India have kept this film from wide circulation so far. Guru Nanak is not very well understood outside the Sikhs themselves and northern India. The producer of this film has made a remarkable effort to create a film of high technical standards to address this.
The film is essentially a straight line biography. Guru Nanak's image is created through CGI, but all other characters are played live by actors. The sets, costumes and locations are well done. Cinematography is of high caliber. The music is perhaps the best aspect of this film.
The story line is essentially a string of parables - almost all of which are well known to any Sikh but would be instructive to anyone new to this topic. In my view, even though it's a biography and we all know how it is going to end, certain point of conflict and thus a climax could have been created to make the story more interesting to the broader audience. Perhaps in a future rendition.
But this can be understood by considering that the makers of this film treated the subject very carefully and in a reverent manner. Apparently to placate the sensitivities of the devout, and yet, ironically, the film has been mired in controversy in India regardless. It's a shame really as the film actually serves a very good purpose in my view.
Highly recommended.
It is too bad that some religious sensitivities in India have kept this film from wide circulation so far. Guru Nanak is not very well understood outside the Sikhs themselves and northern India. The producer of this film has made a remarkable effort to create a film of high technical standards to address this.
The film is essentially a straight line biography. Guru Nanak's image is created through CGI, but all other characters are played live by actors. The sets, costumes and locations are well done. Cinematography is of high caliber. The music is perhaps the best aspect of this film.
The story line is essentially a string of parables - almost all of which are well known to any Sikh but would be instructive to anyone new to this topic. In my view, even though it's a biography and we all know how it is going to end, certain point of conflict and thus a climax could have been created to make the story more interesting to the broader audience. Perhaps in a future rendition.
But this can be understood by considering that the makers of this film treated the subject very carefully and in a reverent manner. Apparently to placate the sensitivities of the devout, and yet, ironically, the film has been mired in controversy in India regardless. It's a shame really as the film actually serves a very good purpose in my view.
Highly recommended.
- rsshergill
- May 20, 2015
- Permalink
I loved the great efforts being put to bring the basic teaching of Guru Nanak.
Wish it could be more grand than this to be presented on large scale.
Less emphasis on historical detailings and cinematography.
Hope people will dive deep into teachings of Guru Nanak and sikhism after seeing this.
Less emphasis on historical detailings and cinematography.
Hope people will dive deep into teachings of Guru Nanak and sikhism after seeing this.
- Inderpreets90
- Jan 21, 2020
- Permalink
As a muslim devotee of Guru nanak dev g all I'll say is that I cried all the way through out the movie .
Amazing movie
Than waheguru
- s-munirhyder
- Jan 24, 2019
- Permalink
I do not leave reviews that much unless, movie touches my heart.
I think director of this movie should get Oscar for this movie. Some people in Punjab & the world, they have battles in their own mind and try to fight with mind. Kuch to log kahenge logo ka kaam hain kehna.
I think everyone in world should watch this movie. Every time, they will watch this, they will learn something new.
Lots of blessings. Calgary, Canada.
I think director of this movie should get Oscar for this movie. Some people in Punjab & the world, they have battles in their own mind and try to fight with mind. Kuch to log kahenge logo ka kaam hain kehna.
I think everyone in world should watch this movie. Every time, they will watch this, they will learn something new.
Lots of blessings. Calgary, Canada.
- Groverg-857-481539
- Jan 5, 2019
- Permalink
Brilliantly put together despite the forced editing. Much needed and respect to the people who put this together. More of this please.
- gurj-26582
- Jan 10, 2019
- Permalink
What a beautiful movie based on the life and teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. Loved This movie so much ,its a must watch for everyone. The movie is so captivating ...the sets ,cinematography, acting by actors ,direction,music and most importantly the soul of the movie is so beautiful that you feel you are not only watching a movie but living.Arif zakaria did an outstanding performance he played the part of bhai Mardana effortlessly,we see the journey of Guru ji through his eyes. Thank you makers for your efforts, but sadly the movie couldn't reach to many theatres due to the ban demanded by some religious extremists,i wish they haven't opposed the movie release ,so that everyone ( devotees and non-devotees of Guru Nanak) could see the movie and experience what i have experienced.there is nothing objectionable throughput the movie.more movies like this should come
This is a work of devotion; the movie and its soundtracks left you with the feeling of deep meditation. A part of the Bhakti movement era is beautifully created. For the epic scale of the story, which includes extensive travels of Guru Nanak, the use of some Indian landscapes is truly fascinating. I am in love with the visual divinity of 'Gagan Mein Thaal' song, the Aarti by Guru Nanak at Jagannath Puri.
It's obvious that the makers took the audial & visual references from the epic historical movies of roman era (e.g. Gladiator) and some movies made on Jesus. Many scenes give the feeling that they are happening in Jerusalem's street or in Israel's desert. This remark is compliment.
It's obvious that the makers took the audial & visual references from the epic historical movies of roman era (e.g. Gladiator) and some movies made on Jesus. Many scenes give the feeling that they are happening in Jerusalem's street or in Israel's desert. This remark is compliment.
- sparsh-hardik
- Aug 19, 2019
- Permalink
I did not know anything about Guru Nanak's life. Once I started watching this movie I was surprised with the craft of the movie. Great story line, excellent actors, beautiful songs and soothing background score.
I find this movie very peaceful and very skillfully made. You will learn a lot from this movie.
Dialogs are so beautifully written, these are some of my favorite.
"Naam Khumari Nanaka ... chadhi rahe din raat"
And songs I love is "Daya Kapa santok sookh". Every actor has done amazing work.
Arif Zakari is a veteran actor has done great justice to the role. Great to see Tom Alter as well.
I find this movie very peaceful and very skillfully made. You will learn a lot from this movie.
Dialogs are so beautifully written, these are some of my favorite.
"Naam Khumari Nanaka ... chadhi rahe din raat"
And songs I love is "Daya Kapa santok sookh". Every actor has done amazing work.
Arif Zakari is a veteran actor has done great justice to the role. Great to see Tom Alter as well.
- vineetrawat-92522
- Apr 2, 2024
- Permalink
The film was very slow and boring. I found the the CGI Back or White contour (sometime silhouette) image of Guru Nanak Dev ji very distracting. Even a child watching next to me kept pointing that out. In fact, not showing the image of Guru Nanak ji is a misinterpretation of His teachings in early 1900s done most likely deliberately by the Sikh sect Tat Khalsa which ran on an anti Hindu ideology to create a unique identity of Sikhs, separate from Hindus despite the fact Guru Nanak ji was a born Hindu. This sect even violently destroyed non Sikh symbols, objects etc from Sikh temples in early 1900s.
Script was bad. Editing was bad. Screenplay was strange because perhaps having to Not show Guru ji's image. Camera placement or the viewing angles came out to be weird for the same reason. As screenplay was bad too, actors looked under-utilised. The two or three lead female actors in the film were literally hamming. Classical music was good but the background score was way to modern.
- ravisuman-78641
- May 30, 2020
- Permalink
- alparslan-61940
- Dec 7, 2024
- Permalink