Monday, May 12, 2008

Sundri show attracts over 5000 people in Toronto

Sunday, 11-May-08 became a landmark day in history of Sikh Movies. “Sundri: The Brave Kaur produced by Vismaad opened a record weekend. This was first time any movie on Sikh subject was presented as mainstream movie through ticketed shows on big screen. The Sunday showings were culmination of a relentless work during past month by highly motivated team of over 40 Sikh youths lead by Suneet Singh, CEO Datawind Inc. The whole effort including financial contribution by Suneet Singh and team of volunteers was purely with seva motive, and not for profit.

Imposing Sundri Billboard near Dixie Gurughar, Toronto

The Sikh populace in attendance at 19th April Toronto Sikh Parade had a pleasant surprise when Nagar Kirtan passed by a majestic Bill Board of Sundri. Never before was any movie on Sikh subject promoted on such a grand scale. The flamboyant graphics of Sundri overwhelmed the emotions and left an indelible mark on every mind.

The local TV and Radio programs, always hungry for bytes, suddenly had something which caught their imagination. Sundri was being discussed on every channel. Harmeet Singh had a run of special features on “Beyond Belief” which is broadcast across Canada on Vision Television (Channel 60). Sursagar TV called movie Director Sukhwinder Singh thrice on its live talk shows. Mr. Dilbag Chawla featured Sundri folk song by Joginder Singh Jogi on his immensely popular show “Rangla Punjab” apart from interviewing Sukhwinder Singh.

The end result was constantly ringing movie hotline manned by five volunteers till the very last moment. In the last week Movie tickets were fast vanishing from stalls put up at Dixie Gurughar. When organizers announced to home deliver family packs it caught like a wild fire and took everybody unawares. It took such proportions that ultimately home delivery of tickets had to be stopped and instead online reservations were made with provision to collect tickets at gate.

Chinguacousy Auditorium was packed to capacity

Over 5000 people watched the 8 screenings of the movie on 11-May and 18-May with most of the shows packed to capacity. The audience across the board was highly impressed and included people from all walks of life. Mr. Bicky Dhillon MPP, Family of Hon. Navdeep Bains MP, Tiger Junior s/o Tigerjit Singh, Dr. Tejinderpal Singh (Doola Ji) and many other personalities graced the occasion.

Sukhwinder Singh, Dr. Tajinderpal Singh (Doola ji) and Suneet Singh

Movie hotline 647-722-3496 is still ringing with people calling to reserve tickets for 18th May showings. Many youth have volunteered to deliver tickets during the week and later

Today “Sundri: The Brave Kaur” is the most recognizable phrase in Greater Toronto Area. It has every reason to aptly become a global phenomenon very soon considering the immense popularity of “Sundri”, the novel by legendary Bhai Vir Singh ji, on which the movie is based. The fame of movie could be judged by demands of similar showings pouring in from Hamilton, Ottawa, Cambridge, Rochester (NY), Windsor, Detroit, Calgary, Surrey (BC), Seattle, Kamloops, etc.