Sikhlens Film Festival Showcases Sikh Heritage with Global Cinema in Chandigarh
Demokratic Front, Chandigarh – 22 February :
The Sikhlens Film Festival kicked off at Tagore Theatre featuring Spring Symphony – Shaan presented in Basant Raag and a spectacular Giddha performance by youth teams to set the stage. The festival’s major attractions included 13 films from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Canada, and the United Kingdom, offering a global perspective on Sikh stories, culture, and heritage.
The event opened with Saka Sirhind, an animated film based on the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, followed by screenings of Guru Nanak Math (Nepal), The Patka Box (Canada), Reviving Roots (Pakistan), Guru Da Kendra, Rising Above, The Kamal Singh Story (UK), and Raah-E-Nanak, a feature documentary, among others. A special session on Shared Sikh Heritage between India and the UK featured British High Commissioner Caroline Rowett as a key speaker, who also launched the Sikhlens 2025 calendar on the Anglo-Sikh Virtual Museum.
This edition of the festival also showcased a historic exhibition based on relics, miniature art, and photography, along with mesmerizing performances of Gatka, Zafarnama, and Divine Orchestra presenting Bhopali Raag, Janjoti, and Malhaar Instrumental.
Overall, the global Sikhlens team presented the rich history of the Sikh Diaspora from around the world at Tagore Theatre, said Sikhlens India Chapter Head & National Award-winning film director Ojaswwee Sharma.
Sikhlens returned to Chandigarh for its sixth consecutive year. Originating in 2001, Sikhlens now hosts festivals across 16 cities worldwide, including the United States, Canada, and India.
“Sikhlens is not just a platform for storytelling; it is a movement that bridges cultures and creates meaningful conversations through the universal language of art and cinema. Each year, we aim to push boundaries and present films that inspire, educate, and unite audiences,” he added.
The founder of Sikhlens, Bicky Singh, expressed his happiness with the response. “We have hosted our sixth film festival in Chandigarh. This year, there were two world premieres — Saka Sirhind, The Martyrdom of Younger Sahibzaadey and Raah-E-Nanak,” he said.
