By Zile Singh
A short Hindi film, “Dur Hai Subah” was screened on Saturday, October 21 at Punjab Bhawan, 15453 Fraser Highway, Surrey. The film is written, produced, and directed by Haniel Glow. Haniel is an actor-film maker from Mumbai, now settled in Canada.
He has acted with stars like Pankaj Kapoor, Dara Singh, Raj Babbar, Boman Irani in films like Jackpot. Mauka By Chance, Dhatu Nath Dikha De Haath and ward winning Canadian film Limper (2022) also go to his credit. Some of his films have reflected on the superstitious aspect of life. He is an acting coach at Bollywood Acting Classes, Langley.
Cast in the film includes local talents like Ronnie Pannu, Sammy Toora, Preet Chahal and Ravi Sharma in key roles and supported by actors Pardeep Mahey, Dan Toora, Jujhar Cheema, Rosie Dhaliwal, Gautam Modkar, Kamal Karara, Amit Bashal, Madan Jhim and Mukul Khera. All are from simple background.
The film narrates story of Nandu, who after migrating to Canada finds it difficult to settle. Out of frustration and financial problems, he makes inroads into the world of crime.
As a member of an organized gang of criminals, he commits several cold-blooded murders. He starts building castles in the air. He takes pride in coming out clear after ghastly murders. In one of his encounters, he shoots a woman in her house.
Before breathing her last, she curses him to die a dog’s death, inflicted with worms. One day, Nandu gets a call from his home in India informing him that his son has been diagnosed with cancer and a lot of money is required for treatment.
In lieu of a hefty sum of money, the gang leader assigns him with the murder of a rich man. Nandu secretly reaches his prey’s house and finds that he is playing with his teenage son. The scene makes Nandu’s heart bleed.
The image of his sick son reflects before his eyes. With a pistol in his hand, Nandu falls unconscious on the ground. He regains consciousness after a while and says that he has come to murder the man for money. The man exhorts Nandu to shoot him. Nandu cannot. His pistol falls.
The man asks Nandu to give his son’s bank account to remit the required sum for treatment. The film ends with a note that crime does not take anyone anywhere. It is compassion understanding and hard work that pay dividends in the end. It can be called not a short film, but an episode.
When there are criminal activities all around, the film has a message for all, especially the youth. People who find it difficult to settle initially need not fall victim to the lucrative world of crime.
One should not forget the wise saying – ‘Ill gotten, ill spent.’ It is said, “An ill wound can be cured, not an ill name.” The South-Asian community, especially the Sikh has earned a name by dint of perseverance and hard work. Let us not play foul with that reputation.
For a criminal and a ‘good for nothing’ person only, ‘Dur Hai Subah’. For honest and hardworking people, Canada is a land of immense opportunities. To be a criminal is not a matter of pride. Pride has a fall. Criminals live in fear and die in darkness.
Hundreds of criminals have been shot dead in the broad day light in their prime leaving their parents in lurch. For parents also there is a message “If there are no receivers, there would be no thieves.” Let us pay heed to anti-social activities and elements. Bad behavior by a few brings all down. Let us be law abiding citizens.
