Punjabi film Guru Nanak Jahaz offers a collective story—one of shared struggle and sacrifice

Taking us back on a ride through the rough times of 1914, Guru Nanak Jahaz powerfully explores the tragic Komagata Maru incident—a real and painful part of history. The movie is an honest attempt at depicting the story of 376 Punjabi immigrants—mostly Sikhs—who dared to dream of a better future. They set sail on a Japanese ship — defying oppressive colonial immigration policies— only to be turned away from Canadian shores and later face brutality upon returning to India. It’s a piece of history not often taught, and the film brings it to life with a sense of deep respect and emotional weight.

This film is more than just a historical drama. It is a tribute to the brave people who stood up against injustice. The sincerity with which this film is made is undeniable. There’s an evident commitment to authenticity—the attention to historical detail is visible, from the setting and costumes to the lived-in atmosphere that transports you to an era of struggle and resistance.

Gurpreet Ghuggi plays Baba Gurdit Singh, a visionary Sikh businessman who leads the journey with courage and determination. This is a serious and mature performance from Ghuggi and he completely gets into the role. Tarsem Jassar plays Mewa Singh Lopoke, a revolutionary deeply affected by the racism and unfair treatment in Canada. Jassar brings quiet strength and emotion to his role, showing Mewa’s inner fire and pain.

The film doesn’t focus on just one person. It tells the story of an entire community, with each character adding something important. Even the ensemble cast has a strong presence, making the scenes feel real and alive.

Harsharan Singh, who plays Bhag Singh, Meva Singh’s brother, does it with warmth and intensity. Balwinder Bullet, as one of the passengers who stands firmly beside Baba Gurdit Singh, brings both heart and grit to his role. Edward Sonnenblick plays Hopkinson, the Canadian immigration officer. He is manipulative, ruthless and cold, representing the harsh system these immigrants were up against. Satinder Kassoana, as a Sikh working for Hopkinson, adds an emotional layer with his character going against his own community. Mark Bennington adds depth to the film’s portrayal of colonial power. Every person who played a role in bringing this humongous journey to life deserves a mention here because they all seemed to have felt the pain they showcased.

Director Sharan Art has made sure to keep the film honest and grounded. The writing, by Harnav Bir Singh and Sharan Art, is thoughtful. The dialogues are strong and meaningful, and they stay with you long after the movie ends.

The cinematography by Jaype Singh is beautiful. The frames and scenes feel real and well-researched. The way the film shows the period—clothes, ships, streets, and even the silence—gives you an understanding of that time. Its music is another highlight. The songs match the situations perfectly. They are emotional, not forced, and add a lot to the mood of the film. The background score by Kevin Roy George helps you feel the tension and hope in various scenes. The film moves at a slow pace, and some scenes feel stretched and tend to get boring. But, thankfully, the message is not lost.

One other thing about Guru Nanak Jahaz that’s worth a mention—it is careful not to centre a single ‘hero’ or ‘anti-hero’. It shows the pain, hope and strength of a group of ordinary people who did something extraordinary. It offers a collective story—one of shared struggle and sacrifice.

A dialogue by Mewa Singh that goes, “Whether our people remember this or not, but whites like Hopkinson will never forget it”, has been quite true in real life too. The Komagata Maru incident is an important landmark event in the political history of India. It ignited the masses to stand against colonial injustice and is said to have contributed to India’s path

to Independence.

This film tells a story that many of us never learned in school. It brings out a part of Punjab’s—and India’s—history that we should all know. This is a film for anyone who wants to understand the past and the struggles of those who came before us.

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