The premiere of the long-awaited release of hard-hitting new Bollywood film Honour Killing is due to be held at Cineworld Feltham on Friday (February 27).
After years of avoiding the issue for fear of reprisal, controversial filmmaker Avtar Bhogal delivers a British take on a Bollywood production in a thought-provoking script which sheds light on the barbaric practice of murder in the name of protecting family honour.
The film's multicultural cast includes veteran Bollywood actors Gulshan Grover - known for his 'bad man' roles - and Prem Chopra, as well as Pakistani acting legend Jawed Sheikh, along with UK cast members.
Among the VIPs and dignitaries who will attend the premiere are chief guest Dr Rami Ranger MBE, an international entrepreneur and community champion, and founder of Greenford-based consumer goods exports company Sun Mark Ltd.
He will be joined by lead actor Sundeep Singh and other cast members including Chloe Wicks, Sandeep Garchap, Nad Nazir and Manjeet Johal.
Ahead of the movies release, Mr Bhogal said: “Research has shown that victims often feel government authorities have done little to help.
"Through the film, I would like to forward a humble request to our society to wake up and realise that we need to be involved rather than be safe on the grounds of cultural sensibilities.
"No doubt the issue of honour is important but does it justify the killing of a human being solely for the purpose of honour?”
Honour Killing: Rubba Maaf Kareen (God Forgive Them) is set in and around Slough, London, with parts of the story in India and Pakistan, and comes after an alarming rise in cases across the UK and part of the Western world.
The story follows three friends: Sameera, a Pakistani girl; Sunny, a Punjabi boy; and Englishman, Mr Smith, who were all born in India but live in the UK.
Sameera and Sunny meet at the wedding of Mr Smith's daughter and strike up a friendship. But when the pair fall in love the two friends and their families become estranged.
The parents' friendship turns into bitter enmity and destiny has something else in store for the couple.
As reconciliation between the families becomes impossible, the English friend advises the couple to elope and marry but they don't listen and tragic consequences follow sending shockwaves through the entire community and wider society.
The film, which is produced by Manmohan Singh and Harjinder Singh under the banner of ABC Films International and Ek Onkar Films, includes a number of songs directed by Uttam Singh.
Police estimate up to 12 people are murdered each year in the UK in the name of honour, with a further 500 forced into marriage or attacked. The actual number of cases is likely to be much higher, but the shroud of secrecy surrounding them means that cases never come to light.
Honour Killiing is likely to open debate, invoke reaction and hopefully coerce governments to take steps to prevent such depraved acts of violence and injustice from continuing to occur around the world.
The film will be screened in 11 cinemas across the UK and in Pakistan on Friday through GEO TV.
For more information, visit www.filmhonourkillings.com.
