Sikhs on Screen

Origins

To tell the story of Sikh characters in Western cinema first you must understand how Western society was introduced to Sikhs.

In 1945 following the end of the Second World War Micheal Powell and Emeric Pressburger created a masterpiece in A Matter of Life and Death (1946). In the famous trial scene in heaven the audience for the court case comprises a full squadron of Sikh airmen who Powell gives prominent front row seats to.

During the two world wars the British bolstered the fighting ranks from the armies of the Empire and no more so than the Indian Army who contributed 2.5m volunteers to WW2. In 1947, Sikhs made up 50 percent of Indian Army officers, 38 percent of the air force and 33 percent of combat soldiers. It therefore would come as no surprise that Powell use Sikh fliers in these scenes when 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed in the two world wars alone. Also a number of Sikh soliders and airmen would have been stationed in the UK prior to being demobbed so Powell would have had access to these extras for use in the film.

Over the next 20 years there was little change in the role of Sikhs in western film with the Sikh airman still the mainstay. 633 Squadron (1964) does give the character Flight Lt Singh a solitary speaking line but he is still there more as decoration than crucial to the storyline. His role as the Gentleman flyer with beard and impeccable manners towards women is nice to see but there is little meat to his role and Julian Sherrier acting ability does little to add anything for his character.

Villain

The 1980s brought a new image of the Sikhs in western film, from solider to villian. Taking the characteristics such as strength and courage that have been associated so strongly with the Sikhs and applying them to darker characters onscreen.

To be Continued...