‘Lions of the Sea’ will star Irrfan Khan too.
Actor Salman Khan is all set to create history by jointly producing a movie that reportedly will cost Rupees 300 crores (around $48 million) with Toronto-based Indian tycoon Ajay Virmani.
Khan’s Salman Khan Films (SKF) and Virmani’s First Take Entertainment Ltd. (FTE) will jointly produce a movie based on the voyage of Indians to Canada in the ship Komagata Maru in search of better opportunities, reported The Hindustan Times.
The film titled ‘Lions of the Sea’ is set in the period 1914 when 349 Sikh passengers sailed to Canada for finding better opportunities but were denied permission to enter the country.
“SKF is delighted to join hands with First Take and participate in telling the story of the Komagata Maru incident. “Lions of the Sea” is a film based on a true incident which depicts heroism of all those who were on board and challenged the racial policies of the British Empire,” Salman Khan was quoted as saying by Bollywood Hungama.
“It is imperative to tell this story as it mirrors the current global refugee crisis. “Lions of the Sea” will allow us to embrace multiculturalism, diversity and bring humanity closer together,” added Salman.
According to reports, Irrfan Khan will play the lead role of Sikh lawyer Gurdit Singh who fought for the passengers. The movie is likely to be filmed in India, U.K., Hong Kong, and Canada.
“It’s an honor to a partner with Salman and SKF once again to ensure this historic story which has challenged many racial laws in the western world is finally being told. The issues of racial acceptance and due processes are at the heart of the story and continue to be relevant in today’s world. We were pleased and humbled that the Right Honorable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this year recognized and apologized in the House of Commons for the unjust treatment committed against these migrants. We are excited to announce that this production will commence in 2017 as we celebrate Canada, its diversity as well as its 150th anniversary. This film will be co-produced by Vinay Virmani and Pauline Dhillon,” says Dr. Ajay Virmani.
The Komagata Maru incident had led to drastic changes in immigration laws in Canada.