"Earlier filmmakers were scared of approaching Sikh characters for the fear of controversy, and whether people would like them. The idea of a hero was set - clean shaven, rugged looks, tall, or a chocolate boy. Aspiring Sikh actors had to give up their hair to act, but now times are changing. There's more awareness, experimentation, the fear is fading and a Sikh character is making it to the main role," shares actor Shahbaz Khan who'll soon be seen as the 'greatest Sikh ever', Jassa Singh Ahluwalia in Raj Babbar's magnum opus on telly this June. Sikhs, for actor Gulzar Chahal, are a class apart, people who make a mark wherever they go. "Finally we are making a mark on screen too," Gulzar will be seen as a turbaned protagonist of Puneet Issar's Nischay Kar Apni Jeet Karoon. "Over the years, the Sikh identity got diluted, they were being wrongly projected, but with this film, we'll be clearing all mistaken identities," Chahal also adds that now barriers are broken, and anyone can be a hero. "What makes Sikh characters appealing and saleable is the fact that across the world, the Indian diaspora majorly comprises of either Punjabis or Gujaratis," he reflects. "The Punjabi diaspora worldwide is huge, they are affluent, rich, watch films and we are only encashing on that. Take Sunny Deol's case, every two-three years, he wraps a turban, charges and delivers a hit!" says actor-comedian Jaspal Bhatti adding how it's the maturity of both directors and audiences that has led to this revolution.

... contd.