A documentary on Sidhu Moosewala titled The Killing Call, released by BBC World Service on June 11, 2025, has triggered a major controversy. The two-part Sidhu Moose Wala documentary uploaded to the BBC YouTube channel, coinciding with the late singer’s birth anniversary, despite legal opposition from his family.
Episode 1 explores Sidhu Moose Wala’s early life, rise in Punjabi hip-hop, and his time in Canada. Episode 2 covers events surrounding his murder on May 29, 2022, in Punjab’s Mansa district. It includes an audio interview with gangster Goldy Brar, who claims responsibility for the killing. The documentary features interviews with Moosewala’s friends, police officials, and journalists, along with archive footage, touching on Punjab’s history, farmers’ protests, and diaspora culture.
The family, led by Moosewala’s father, Balkaur Singh, alleged that the BBC documentary on Moosewala produced without their consent and included unauthorized content. He claims it exploits Moosewala’s legacy and violates their privacy. Singh also raised concerns over the impact of the documentary on the ongoing criminal trial, stating it could prejudice legal proceedings by presenting interviews with individuals named in the FIR.
According to Indian media, legal action includes a petition filed in the Mansa court on June 10, 2025, seeking a stay on its release. The court declined an interim block and adjourned the matter to June 12. Singh also lodged complaints with the Maharashtra Police to stop a planned public screening in Mumbai’s Soho House, which eventually canceled. The BBC released the documentary online instead.
Public response on social media remained mixed. Some users criticized the documentary’s timing and content, while others focused on Moosewala’s posthumous songs—0008, Neil, and Take Notes—released the same day, which quickly gained millions of views.
As of June 12, the Mansa court is reviewing the petition. The family seeks a permanent ban on the documentary’s distribution. The outcome may affect future media coverage related to Sidhu Moose Wala and similar high-profile cases.
