A two-part documentary focusing on the killing of popular Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, widely known as Sidhu Moose Wala, was released by the BBC World Service on June 11. The release coincided with Moose Wala’s birth anniversary, even as his father filed a petition in a Mansa court in Punjab seeking a stay on its screening. The court is scheduled to hear the petition on June 12.
Despite objections and complaints from Moose Wala’s family, the BBC published the two-part documentary before the family could release their own tribute, an extended play (EP) of some of his unreleased songs. The film features interviews with some of Moose Wala’s old friends, journalists, and senior police officials from Punjab and Delhi. It also includes an audio interview with gangster Goldy Brar, who is accused of orchestrating Moose Wala’s assassination on May 29, 2022, in Jawahar Ke village, Mansa district.
The BBC had planned to screen the documentary in a Mumbai cinema hall on Wednesday evening. However, following the controversy, it opted to release the film on YouTube instead.
The first episode of the documentary, titled ‘The Killing Call’, explores Moose Wala’s early life, his journey to fame, and the controversies that surrounded him. The second episode delves into the events leading up to and following his murder.
In the description of the YouTube video, the BBC wrote:
“On 29 May 2022, Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala was murdered by hired gunmen who tracked his car, shot him through the windshield, and left him to die. Afterward, gangster Goldy Brar publicly claimed responsibility for the killing. But nearly three years later, no one has been convicted, the motives remain unclear, and Brar is still at large. BBC Eye Investigations has spoken to people close to Sidhu, tracing his rise from rural Punjab to global stardom, examining how he became entangled with one of India’s most feared criminal networks, and asking why he was targeted.”
“This is a story that spans rural Indian villages, Canada’s hip-hop scene, the complex history of Punjab, and the evolving political climate in India. It also ventures into the hidden world of organized crime and includes a chilling phone call with the fugitive gangster who claims to have ordered the killing. Featuring exclusive access to Moose Wala’s friends and collaborators, and previously unseen archive material, the film includes voices speaking publicly for the first time,” they added.
While talking to India Today, the singer’s father confirmed that “we objected over the documentary and the release is without our consent. We have taken the matter to the Mansa court but will soon move the High Court on this.”
Earlier, in a complaint filed with the Maharashtra DGP and Mumbai’s Juhu Police Station, Balkaur Singh Sidhu said that BBC World Service was organising a programme on June 11 at 3 pm to screen Sidhu Moose Wala’s documentary in Juhu.
BBC reportedly sent out invitations to people earlier, claiming that the documentary, which was about to be screened in theatres in Mumbai, carried facts about the Punjabi singer that hadn’t been revealed or published anywhere.
The singer’s father earlier alleged that the documentary may be an attempt to spoil his son’s legacy.
