I was sure he would come back, says Dalbir Kaur

On the eve of Sarabjit’s third death anniversary and ahead of the release of his biopic, we talk to his sister Dalbir Kaur as she takes us through the struggle to free her brother from a Pakistani prison

Sarabjit Singh was an Indian national convicted of terrorism and spying by a Pakistani court. His sister Dalbir Kaur negotiated with Indian and Pakistani governments for 23 years to bring justice to her brother, who she believed was innocent till the day he died. Omung Kumar’s upcoming biopic, Sarbjit, retells the story of a sister’s struggle. Excerpts from an interview with Dalbir:

What is your last memory with sarabjit before he got caught

He was caught on August 28, 1990. At that time we were all at home together, laughing, having a good time. He was wrestling with his nephew when suddenly a friend of his came and told him that they have to go on the fields with their tractor. They worked in the farms and later ate and drank. He was caught on his way back.

Since then, every year during Raksha Bandhan, I used to apply for visa to Pakistan, but they didn’t grant me one. Once they assured me that I’d be able to tie a rakhi to Sarabjit, but it was only a verbal assurance, and nothing came of it. In 2011, with the help of the High Court, I was able to go to Pakistan twice. On my first visit that year I saw him tied in chains. He told me about the atrocities that he went through in prison. That’s when I came to know of what happens behind the walls of Pakistani prisons — what the officials do with the prisoners.

There were reports that he was working for the Indian government as a spy No, it’s not true. I felt very bad when this came out. It was all accusation by Pakistan.

Was it difficult to narrate the tale of your brother all over again Yes. I remember him all the time. I don’t think I can ever forget him. To me, Sarabjit was a son more than a brother. I used to refer to him as beta. To relive those memories and go back there again was difficult. I initially thought that I have been through so much pain for 23 years, that retelling the story wouldn’t be a problem, but I was wrong. But to free others like Sarabjit, I will go through it again.

Many filmmakers may have approached you in the past for the film. Why did you say yes to Omung Kumar We wanted a movie made when he was still in prison, to help spread awareness.

We were in talks with Subhash Ghai for the same, but maybe it wasn’t destined to happen then. After Sarabjit’s death, many people from Mumbai did come to me, but I wasn’t in a mental state to talk to them or make any decisions. All of those who came had had very successful movies in the past. I was always in touch with Rajesh Beri (writer of the film). We Indians have a short memory so I didn’t want to delay the film. Rajesh then approached Omung to make a film on this. He told me that Omung is the Mary Kom filmmaker. When I met him (Omung), I felt the film landed in the right hands. Did you get enough support from everyone to free Sarabjit I started alone but within a few days, voices from India became my voice. Sarabjit was a victim of politics. However today everyone knows about Sarabjit because many people would come on the streets demanding to free him. The media also helped me a lot. Do you think Randeep did justice to your brother in terms of portraying him onscreen Yes, when I saw him for the first time on the set, I really thought Sarabjit is sitting there. Sarabjit was a happy-go-lucky person and I did see him in Randeep. I talk to Randeep the same way I spoke to Sarabjit. Did you talk to Randeep about your brother No, I spoke very little. I think he has played his role with a lot of honesty. What about Aishwarya who is playing you in the film She too has done a fantastic job. When people will see her, people will definitely shower her with a lot of love. Did she do justice to your struggle Yes watching her made me feel proud of what I have done. People don’t say this in Jammu because of the fear of bullets, but I said it in Pakistan. I challenged them in their own land to kill Sarabjit if they wanted to and that I’d be there. I said that while thumping my chest.

How much of your real life struggle has made it to the film I wanted things about Sarabjit to be highlighted — the fact that he loved pigeons, loved animals, used to wrestle a lot, play kabaddi and help the poor. I remember how when once Punjab was shut and one of the kids was running a high temperature, Sarbjit hadtaken the child to the hospital on his shoulder. He was always ready to help others. He was a happy man. I wanted people to know how an accident changed our lives.

Will you have the strength to see the final movie I do think about this. When I used to narrate all the incidents, I used to think if I could see all of it on the big screen. I am now trying to build the strength to see the film. I have told Omung to show the film before the release as it is also about my reputation. If I have to change anything, I can tell him.

What is the atmosphere like in the village as the film is ready for release His friends are very excited. The kids who have never seen Sarabjit but have heard about him from the older people also want to watch it. Everyone feels the film should have come out a long time back. They all want to see it first day, first show. Sarabjit was the only earning member in the family. How did you cope after he was gone Yes, it was very difficult and sometimes the financial trouble did get to us. I would often think that I may not have enough money to go to Pakistan. I hope now, after this film, his kids can live a peaceful life. Your relatives never came to help you During bad days, no one steps forward and they all leave you. I get very angry when they call me now. His friends were there, but they too had to take care of their families. How did you handle his kids I used to lie to them that their father has gone abroad and will come back soon with lots of gifts. I wanted to assure his wife and kids that they were secure in this house. I think God gave me strength to do that. Who was your strength I think I was my own strength. I was sure he’d come back as he was not guilty. Whenever there was a ray of hope about him being released, it used to give me lot of strength. I am fearless by nature and I thought that if I don’t get tired, the government will eventually bow down. But I didn’t know at the time that for the government, we are just one ‘vote’ — nothing else.