'My Sikh superhero film reflects my community'

The man behind an English language Sikh superhero film says he wanted to represent his community in "the best way possible".

Growing up in Wolverhampton, director Flex Singh said he "never really saw someone who looked like me" in films from Hollywood or British cinema.

His film, Ninth Master: Way of a Warrior, is a martial arts action movie with themes of courage and discipline but "rooted in modern Britain", according to his studio.

Singh, who stated his creation was "the world's first Sikh superhero film in the English language", said: "For me, the turban is my crown. It is my identity, my strength and my responsibility.

"I wanted young people, not just Sikhs but all British children, to see that you can stand tall in who you are and still belong fully in the story."

Singh, who also wrote and starred in the film, said he was inspired by many films as he grew up in the Black Country, especially martial arts ones.

"Sikhs have always been warriors since the dawn of time," he added. "I wanted to represent our community in the best way possible."

The West Midlands has the largest concentration of people who identified as Sikh in England, according to the 2021 census.

The film was developed over four years and shot in locations including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, London and Wales.

The movie was "about the way of a warrior, the journey of a young man who's an orphan child.... [and who] was kicked around because of [how] he looked," Singh said.

"One day he stumbles upon a samurai sensei who teaches him...about real discipline and how he can not only protect himself, but protect other people too."

The premiere in the West Midlands was held at Birmingham's Midlands Arts Centre on Thursday.

Speaking before the event, Singh said some friends he grew up with and his school teachers were at the event.

"I grew up in the Midlands, from school to walking and playing football on the streets," he said.

"So it means a lot to me that I can represent [the] Midlands in the best way possible.

"It's a place full of talent, creativity."

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