Documentary '1984, When The Sun Didn't Rise' Explores the Aftermath of Anti-Sikh Violence

Exploring Untold Stories of 1984

Teenaa Kaur Pasricha was deeply affected when she learned about the anti-Sikh riots that erupted following Indira Gandhi's assassination on October 31, 1984. She was particularly struck by the lack of awareness surrounding the events that unfolded afterward.

“Reading about 1984 left me heartbroken, and I couldn't help but wonder: Why hasn’t there been a film addressing this topic?” Pasricha expressed. “If we don’t discuss our history and culture, who will?”

Her concern was especially for the women who lost their husbands and homes during the violence. “I pondered how they managed to heal and navigate their daily lives after such trauma,” she reflected.

To fill this gap in storytelling, Pasricha created the documentary 1984, When The Sun Didn’t Rise. This 57-minute film captures the experiences of women residing in Delhi’s Widow Colony, where widows of Sikh men killed during the riots live.

The documentary took five years to complete and received partial funding from the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Network and Documentary Fund, as well as a fellowship from the Leipzig International Festival for Documentary and Animated Films. It is set to be showcased at the on June 18.

1984, When The Sun Didn’t Rise features personal narratives from women who lost their husbands during the riots, showcasing their varied approaches to coping with their grief. One widow revisits the site of her husband's death, while another comes to terms with the possibility that her missing husband may be deceased.

While the documentary includes perspectives from a legal expert and a politician linked to the violence, the primary focus remains on the women's stories, which blend vulnerability with resilience.

Pasricha allows the widows to express themselves in both Hindi and Punjabi, illustrating that their sorrow transcends language barriers. As the women engage in their daily routines, it becomes clear that their linguistic adaptability reflects the many adjustments they have made to adapt to their new reality. However, while the women have found ways to cope with their past, many men have turned to substance abuse.

The film also tells the story of an abuser to highlight how systemic drug addiction has negatively impacted the emotional, mental, and financial well-being of the community, particularly its women. “Finding someone willing to speak about their addiction was challenging,” Pasricha noted. “One individual refused to be filmed because he feared losing access to drugs.”

Pasricha's research approach resembled ethnography, as she sought acceptance from the community before documenting their lives. “Every October 31, journalists come to interview these individuals and then leave,” she remarked. “I visited them repeatedly, listening to their stories. They were surprised by my persistence.” It took her 18 months to gain the trust of one widow, as she patiently waited outside her home.

Over the years, Pasricha became emotionally connected to the women's narratives. “I was just a girl listening to their stories, and it broke my heart,” she shared. As a result, the documentary does not present a completely neutral political perspective but vividly portrays the pain of trauma and loss, emphasizing how personal tragedies influence political dynamics.

While 1984, When The Sun Didn’t Rise honors the voices of the widows, it also compassionately depicts their suffering. In one touching scene, a group of widows knits together as they recount the horrific violence surrounding their husbands' deaths. The camera captures a young boy listening to their stories, subtly illustrating how the violence that affected his predecessors continues to impact his life.

Pasricha aspires for her documentary to illuminate a neglected chapter of history and offer solace to the victims. “I realize that justice may never come for these women,” she stated. “My research has shown me that the only acknowledgment needed is for the government to recognize this as a state-planned massacre, not mere riots.”

Through 1984, When The Sun Didn’t Rise, Pasricha aims to foster tolerance among different communities. “Creating this film made me deeply sad, as discrimination persists,” she lamented. “Marginalized groups still face oppression in our country. We must learn to understand and accept one another for the sake of humanity.”