Transforming Sikh Storytelling Through Film
If we don't tell our own stories, others will tell them for us.
Sikhlens was built on a simple but urgent realization -- that our stories were not being told. For decades, the Sikh community focused on survival, stability, and success in traditional fields like medicine, engineering, and business. While this created economic strength, it left a major gap in storytelling, media, and representation.
In the early 1980s, after coming to the United States, it became clear that if we did not tell our own stories, others would tell them for us -- often incorrectly or incompletely. This realization became even more urgent after events like 9/11, when misrepresentation and lack of awareness had real consequences for Sikh identity worldwide.
Sikhlens responded by building a structured approach to filmmaking -- not just creating films, but creating a pipeline of storytellers. Through programs like Project S and Destination S, we have supported the production of hundreds of films across multiple countries, capturing authentic Sikh experiences with depth and dignity.
Today, Sikhlens films have been screened globally, featured on platforms like PBS, BBC, and international festivals. More importantly, they have become tools for education, awareness, and identity -- helping shape how Sikhs are seen by the world and how the next generation sees itself.