Sporting a rocking bandana, Saint Dr.Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan drove to the special congregation atop a special motorbike designed by him in the Ashram drawing widespread applause. Prior to unveiling the name of the film to the media, Guruji interacted extensively with those present. While the audience waited with bated breaths, Guruji explained the many facets of the film and why he had chosen such an unconventional path. The genre of the MSG movie is an action packed thriller that slickly intertwines a social cause.
On being asked about the purpose and motivation behind the film Guruji said that the main reason was to promote humanitarian welfare and remove social evils like drug addiction and promote good and progressive deeds. The ultimate beneficiary of the proceeds of the film would be thalassemic children. Explaining it further, Guruji said that instead of children needing repeated blood transfusions and therapy, serious effort were underway to ensure to eradicate thalassemia completely in a cost effective manner and such research would be supported by the film. Additionally, there was a need to have a novel approach to treating HIV positives more effectively, who would also be amongst the prime beneficiaries.
The thought, Guruji said, arose as there were endless songs promoting liquor and vulgarity, pushing the youth into reckless actions. And Guruji felt that his foray into music through the 107 concerts and the CD’s had drawn the youth away from the usual story of decay and degeneration. From that experience Guruji resolved to undertake something more resolute and youth-centric and that was how the idea of a film was born. The film, apart from Hindi and English would be dubbed into several south Indian languages. While it was clear that it would premiere on an All India basis, efforts were underway for a world premiere. The duration of the film would be comparable to the standard Bollywood pattern. The release is scheduled for January.
On being asked whether Guruji was contemplating a break in view of the hectic social involvements, Guruji said that the question of taking a break simply did not arise as social evils were on the rise. He talked about the rising incidents of gender crimes, liquor, prostitution etc. Guruji said that as long as society was in turmoil, a Saint could not be at peace. Instead, he sensed the need for speeding up the efforts.
Particularly, on the issue of trafficking in women, Guruji said that the film contained an important social message in that context. It was painful and heart wrenching to see that our once proud culture had fallen into the throes of depravity where such barbaric practices like selling daughters had crept in.
Guruji said that he would be doing several stunts himself especially on a bike. While most of the actors are drawn from the youth and children at Dera Sacha Sauda, there were a couple of actresses playing the role of his daughters in the film. Guruji is the chief protagonist, who is involved in every aspect right from the concept to the script and he was also involved heavy in direction alongside Jeetu Arora and in cinematography with the director of photography Vineet. The villain is an overseas actor. Guruji hinted that the film also offered useful insights into why certain forces were involved in anti-Dera conspiracies.
On how productive did he feel the effort was going to be, Guruji said that he had seen 90-95 percent improvement and behavior change in high risk groups who would quit alcohol and immorality in response to learning meditation from him or those who were drawn to his music. For the film, he foresaw a 100 percent effective response from the target groups.
In the end, Guruji unveiled a plaque that had the film’s name, MSG – The Messenger. The revealing of the name too was done with a characteristic flourish and style.Truly, the revolution is on its way. And cinema is now going to be the medium of social change.
A backgrounder
After crossing the phenomenal landmark of 10 million CD’s with the previous album, Highway Love Charger, and performing in over a 107 live concerts, Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan announced the name of His next creative venture, a full length feature film , while interacting with the media at Shah SatnamJi Dham in Sirsa today. Guruji announced that the film is named MSG – The Messenger and is all set to hit movie theatres in January. Explaining His mission Guruji said that music and films had popular appeal amongst the youth that was worst hit by the menace of drugs and immorality, and therefore He had decided to send a strong message across for larger good through this unconventional route. Guruji’s songs in the previous albums have centered on anti-drug and anti-corruption themes, apart from exploring the mystic divinity of true spirituality.
A True Saint is also a serious social reformer, and he uses the popular mores of the times to guide society in the right direction, added Guruji while mentioning that social ills stand seriously in the way of spiritual change and upliftment of mankind. The film has precisely that objective while using a mix of social messaging and high drama to make its point, He said. While the film encapsulates a few major endeavors out of the 104 humanitarian programs being pursued by Guruji, it also explores the undercurrents of vested interest in society who feel threatened by social reawakening. The musical score of the film, composed and performed by Guruji himself shall prove to be a magnetic attraction, The previous 6 albums of Guruji have been released by Universal Music to worldwide acclaim and have established records in hard media sales and a rocking Youtube presence.
Other star attractions of the film include cars designed by Guruji that have been created right from the base platform. The cars have never seen before kind of designs have proved to be traffic stoppers. Several stunts in the film have been performed by Guruji himself.
Comments from the crew and highlights:
Can one imagine a concert lasting 3 nights, attended by 125,000 people? And not only did the concert see mind blowing performances from the Rock star Saint, but it was the part of a busy shooting schedule, for an upcoming Bollywood flick. For those who haven’t guessed it by now, Dera Sacha Sauda’s Saint Dr.Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan is starring in a yet-to-be named movie that is expected to hit theatres by January. Inside sources said that the movie could also be released internationally after being dubbed into various languages. Addressing His devotees, Saint Dr.Gurmeet Ram Rahim Ji Insan said, “The movie is aimed to generate awareness about the various humanitarian drives and rouse society collective conscience towards neglected causes. While the storyline draws completely from the truth, yet all the ingredients of action, suspense and drama are being added to make it interesting.’’
Jeetu Arora ,is a well known name from the tinsel town’s TV serial factory. Having worked as an actor with stars like Salman Khan, Akshay Khanna and Sunil Shetty, Jeetu Arora is an old bollywood hand. His famous directional ventures have been serials like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi ,Kasauti Jindagi Ki ,Khani Ghar Ghar ki, Amita Ka Amit etc.While Jeetu Arora confess initially he was rather skeptical of working with a spiritual Saint, he now views it quite differently. ‘‘It a very rich project.I can only see a Superhit coming, ‘’he says matter-of-factly. On Guruji, he said, “As an actor He is superb. Guruji naturalness marks him out. His dialogues and emotions flow out so naturally that you don’t even come to know that he is acting.” Impressed that the sets in Sirsa don’t take a fraction of the time taken in Mumbai, Jeet recounts how Guruji delivered a 5 page script in merely 12-15 minutes, leaving the crew spellbound.
“It’s been more than two decades that I have been associated with the film industry, but I haven’t seen a more talented man than Revered Guruji. I am honored to working with him.” Those were Jeetu Arora’s words in soon after the iconic take in the concert.
Arora wasn’t wrong for Revered Guruji didn’t just grasp the five-page script quickly, but was able to give the entire shot in a single take. And all this took his just 12 to 15 minutes. Drawing comparison, Arora said, that even an experienced actor would take at least two to three days for same shot. All this happened in full public gaze during the Rubaru Night Concert, where Jeetu was almost moved to tears. ‘‘Having been here, I can say that this film will breathe life into the genre of social message with healthy entertainment about it, ‘says Jeetu.
Speaking further, Arora said, that Revered Guruji’s feat looks all the more overwhelming when one realizes that he hasn’t had any sort of training in acting nor has any experience in it.
It has been 25 days since we started shooting here, but never ever have I had to do a re-take because of Guruji, noted the director.
Arora, who is here with his unit of 60, has directed some of the most popular television soaps, including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se, Uttaran, Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara and Navya..Naye Dhadkan Naye Sawaal.
A remarkable scene that literally lit up the night sky, was choreographed and directed by Guruji in a matter of minutes. The only small wonder was that it had 125,000 people participating, says Vineet, the Director of Photography, still shaking his head in disbelief. In films, its technically impossible to manage such a crowd in synchrony, confessed the crew and things are done only through computer generated imagery.
The co-actors, were equally effusive. One of the actors who is playing a devotee in the film said that a lot of what was happening was never seen by her earlier. Best of all, everything getting portrayed was a reality that made it even closer to everyone’s heart. The humanitarianism, the aura and the personality that Guruji has, can only be saluted! she concluded.
‘’Humanitarianism seeps through every gesture of Guruji. His personally, the aura, the story of the film. I see no reason why the magic won’t work to entertain and enlighten people,’’ said one.
Jeetu summarizes at the end of my series of chit chats. ‘’It is a miracle is more ways than one. We have a farmer who has never seen a camera, pulling the camera trolley with aplomb. We have the music that ensnares everyone.We have Guruji magnetism and charisma. I believe that this film will attract the youth and the middle aged alike.’’
Ravi Pawar, the Chief Make Up man for Guruji with 17 years of standing in the industry who has worked with artistes like Irfan Khan, Rani Mukherjee , Sonam Kapoor etc., has been so bowled over by Guruji that he has already written a song on him. Having been here for over a month, his response was that Guruji is greater than any rockstar in history in his appeal. He said that what was happening in Sirsa was a record for the industry as Guruji had managed to interweave a hugely attended concert with a technically challenging shoot. Speaking straight from the heart, he said that the industry was going to have a serious challenge from Guruji. Asked about his thoughts on the hospitality at Dera Sacha Sauda, he said that it was 7 star, much better than industry standards. Sumaya Sams, the cherubic associate director who has worked with famous names like Madhur Bhandarkar and Dilzan Wadia said that she was overwhelmed by people’s love for Guruji and the atmosphere of energy, where nobody seemed to get tired. About Guruji, she said that quite frankly she never expected the remarkable acting, stunts, selfless love, breathtaking musical performances and the remarkable divine persona who was charging everyone. Sumaya, who is a DJ in her spare time, said that she found Guruji’s music awesome and had no doubts that it would be a hit with audiences.
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