Canadian writer / director R. Paul Dhillon’s debut feature film Sweet Amerika will hit theatres in Canada on September 19. The film, produced by Bobby Nagra and Dhillon under their MMM Films banner, will be released in theatres Canada-wide by CSS Releasing.
Set in New York City, Sweet Amrika is the moving story of Sikh shop owner Balbir “Bobby” Singh (Gulshan Grover), an American Sikh who is kidnapped and tortured by a hateful and misguided gang who seek reprisals following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The film is inspired by true events such as the murder of an Arizona-based Sikh businessman Balbir Singh Sodhi.
Dhillon deliberately puts the characters and the action on a slippery slope. There are no real heroes here as the world becomes unhinged following these earth-shaking events.
Sweet Amrika is a probing portrait of immigrant life in America that follows Bobby on his journey to find and preserve his piece of the American dream in a world where concepts like “freedom” and “democracy” seem to stand on shaky ground.
Still mourning the loss of his wife and son, Bobby finds new hope in Mina (Sian Sladen), a young, vibrant Muslim woman. Although opposed by the Sikh community, Bobby’s love for Mina holds the key to reviving his broken spirit.
As Bobby is held captive, the days leading up to his abduction flash before us in a richly woven narrative, full of the joys and sorrows of life in America.
Will Bobby survive the night and escape the “extremists” that now threaten his existence?
A thoughtful, provocative story filled with memorable characters, Sweet Amerika is ultimately an uplifting story that asks us to experience the colorful, and sometimes troubled, fabric of America with open minds and hearts.
Bollywood veteran actor Gulshan Grover, known for his string of delicious and wickedly enjoyable villains in Indian cinema, plays Balbir Singh Gill aka Bobby.
Grover is ably supported in the film by a talented cast including as David Stuart, Sian Sladen, Matt Ward, Kit Koon, Melanie Papalia, Remi Clair, Guy Christie, Michael Hanus, James Wilson, Jon Pine, Fareed Abdelhak, Ian Rozylo, Robert Turner, Derek Delost, Grant Elliott, Simi Johal, Vicky Lambert, Balinder Johal, Nigel Vonas and wrestler Travis Watters. Canadian entertainment variety show e-Talk’s Zain Meghji is also featured in Sweet Amerika as the one half of the comedic duo Sagu and Dara.
The film is produced by well-known Vancouver businessman Bobby Nagra (the man behind international Bhangra superstar Jazzy B) in association with MMM Film Finance International.
Sweet Amerika is written by award-winning journalist / filmmaker R. Paul Dhillon and Jessi Thind, the author of Lions Of The Sea – which recounts the tumultuous journey of the doomed Komagata Maru passengers.
Sweet Amerika lead actror Gulshan Grover is one of the few actors who has not only achieved great success in India but also made a successful transition to Hollywood and International cinema. His latest international production was the first mainstream Hollywood-Bollywood production called Marigold along with Bollywood’s Salman Khan and Hollywood’s Ali Larter and Ian Bohen.
He has also worked in Hollywood Films such as the Second Jungle Book (for Columbia Tri Star) where he played the role of the main villain – the rebel chief. Aside from Hollywood films, Grover has also appeared in numerous international productions including an Italian film, a French film, a German film and a British film.
Music VDO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ3TNuiaIhA
Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcdsZyLmmnk&feature=related
See cast and crew list at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492913/
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