‘The Killing Call’: BBC Removes Sidhu Moose Wala Documentary From YouTube After Father’s Appeal
On June 11, BBC World Service released a documentary about Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala despite a complaint from his father requesting that it be banned.
The BBC World Service unveiled a two-part documentary titled ‘The Killing Call’ on June 11, focusing on the life and tragic death of Punjabi artist Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, also known as Sidhu Moose Wala.
The global media outlet released the documentary on the same day as Moose Wala’s birth anniversary. Just days earlier, his father had approached the Mansa district court in Punjab, seeking a legal stay on the film’s release.
The court scheduled the hearing for June 12. Nevertheless, despite the Moose Wala family’s strong objections, the BBC went ahead with publishing both parts of the documentary.
This release came before the family had the opportunity to publish their own tribute—a special extended play (EP) containing the late singer’s unreleased songs.
The documentary features an audio interview with gangster Goldy Brar, who has been accused of masterminding the murder of Moose Wala on May 29, 2022, in the village of Jawahar Ke in Mansa district.
It also includes interviews with senior police officials from Punjab and Delhi, various journalists, and Moose Wala’s close friends from earlier days.
Initially, the BBC had intended to screen the documentary at a cinema in Mumbai, but that plan was dropped due to the controversy. Instead, they opted to release the film on YouTube.
In the YouTube description, BBC wrote:
“On 29 May 2022, Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala was murdered by contract killers who followed his vehicle, shot him through the windshield, and left him to die. Afterwards, gangster Goldy Brar took public responsibility for the assassination. However, almost three years later, there have been no convictions, the reasons behind the murder remain unclear, and Brar is still on the run. BBC Eye Investigations spoke to people close to Sidhu, traced his journey from rural Punjab to international fame, explored his ties to one of India’s most dangerous criminal syndicates, and examined the reasons he may have been targeted.”
They further wrote:
“This is a narrative that stretches from Indian villages to Canada’s hip-hop culture, touches on Punjab’s historical context, and reflects India’s current political atmosphere. It also delves into the underworld of organized crime and includes a chilling phone call with the fugitive who claims he ordered the killing. With exclusive access to Moose Wala’s collaborators and previously unreleased footage, the film features voices speaking out for the first time.”
In his legal complaint, Moose Wala’s father, Balkaur Singh Sidhu, stated that the BBC had scheduled a screening of the documentary at 3 p.m. on June 11 in Juhu, Mumbai.
He expressed serious concern that the film might tarnish his son’s legacy.
