Salman Khan to produce Lions Of The Sea; Irrfan to play a Sikh lawyer in the period drama

Sikhs have often been stereotyped in Hindi cinema in comic roles, barring a few films like the recently released 31st October. [caption id=“attachment_3108136” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Salman Khan. News 18 Image.[/caption] Salman Khan aims to change this trend as he is all set to produce Lions Of The Sea, a period film on Sikhs, transporting the viewers to 1914 when the Japanese ship Kamagta Maru sailed with over 350 passengers to Canada. They had escaped from Hong Kong, a British colony then, and sailed to Canada only to be denied entry into the country. Hindustan Times reports that Khan will collaborate with Toronto-based Indian tycoon Ajay Virmani to co-produce the historical. Irrfan Khan will play the character of Gurdit Singh, the Sikh lawyer who fought for the passengers’ right to enter Canada. According to a report by Darpan Magazine, Virmani shared his excitement on making this film which has gained even more relevance in contemporary times. “It’s an honour to a partner with Salman and Salman Khan Films (SKF) once again to ensure this historic story, which has challenged many racial laws in the western world, is finally told.” Salman is already working on a period drama in Kabir Khan’s Tubelight based on the 1962 Sino Indian war.