Sidhu Moosewala’s documentary: What it shows and why is it disputed

The release of BBC World Service’s two-part documentary The Killing Call has reignited emotional and legal tensions around the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. The film, now on YouTube, dropped on Tuesday despite open opposition from Moosewala’s father, Balkaur Singh Sidhu. The family believes the timing and content of the documentary could influence the ongoing murder trial and tarnish Moosewala’s image.

What the BBC documentary shows

The BBC’s documentary includes interviews with Goldy Brar himself, shared through audio notes. It also features police officials from Punjab and Delhi, journalists, and Moosewala’s friends and former manager, all of whom try to piece together the story of his life and death. Old footage of Moosewala and his father is also included.

The first episode traces the singer’s rise from a small village in Punjab to the Canadian hip-hop circuit. The second dives into the events leading up to his assassination in Mansa district on May 29, 2022. The documentary promises to explore not just a personal story, but the broader context—'from the turbulent history of Punjab to the contested politics of modern India,' as described in the video’s introduction.

Moosewala’s murder: Still unresolved

Sidhu Moosewala, born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was gunned down at the age of 28 while travelling without police security. Over 30 bullets were fired at him. Gangster Goldy Brar, believed to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi group, took responsibility for the killing and is still evading arrest. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has since labelled Brar an “individual terrorist”.

Posthumous music released alongside documentary

The documentary release coincided with the family launching three posthumous songs on Moosewala’s YouTube channel—"0008", "Neal", and "Take Notes". All three tracks gained over 18 lakh views within four hours, a testament to the late artist’s enduring fan base. These songs bring the total number of releases since his death to eleven.

Why the documentary is being opposed

Originally planned for a public screening in Mumbai’s Juhu area on June 11—coinciding with Moosewala’s birth anniversary—the documentary faced mounting criticism. Following objections, the BBC shifted its release to YouTube. During a ceremony marking his son’s birth anniversary in Musa village, Balkaur Singh criticised the film, calling it a false narrative made in haste. He remarked that the documentary builds a misleading account and tarnishes Sidhu Moosewala’s image. He further said that it was released hastily for commercial benefits and might jeopardise the ongoing trial into his son’s murder.

Father says family’s permission was ignored

In earlier complaints filed with Maharashtra’s Director General of Police and the Juhu Police Station, Balkaur alleged that BBC used Moosewala’s name, image, and life details without permission. He also mentioned that the event had circulated invitations claiming to reveal 'unknown facts' about his son—something he fears might damage Moosewala’s reputation.

Balkaur Singh also expressed his disappointment with people who had claimed to support the family but still participated in interviews for the documentary. He stated that, unfortunately, many of those who professed solidarity with their family were later seen speaking to the foreign broadcaster for the film.

Court rejects stay, case to be heard on June 12

His legal team, led by advocate Satinder Pal Singh, filed a petition in Mansa court seeking to stop the broadcast. The court, however, declined to pass a temporary stay on the documentary’s release, listing the next hearing for June 12. The petition names the BBC and two individuals—Ankur Jain and Ishleen Kaur—as respondents. The family argues that the film violates their privacy and could influence court proceedings.

As legal proceedings continue, The Killing Call has already garnered lakhs of views online. Despite the court's refusal to halt the release, Sidhu Moosewala’s family remains determined. Their fight is no longer just about securing justice for his murder—it’s also about safeguarding his legacy and challenging what they see as an unauthorised, potentially harmful narrative shaping public perception of their late son’s life and death.