Good morning, Vancouver.
Let's kick off this morning with a Punjabi track
...which is the first Indian track to hit the Canadian charts.
And bringing this to you are Assi Munde Hain Punjab De Band,
the artists of A.M.P.D., Nimma and Daljit.
Whatever great things have happened with me in Vancouver...
You are the connection, bro.
- Come on. - (grunts)
All thanks to you.
I wish I could say the same.
- (grunts) - Fuck off.
The best equipment...
Latest speakers...
We'll set up our own studio!
Like a fucking dream, bro.
Like a rockstars, eh?
We're born stars, man!
Where are we headed anyway?
Really?
(chuckles)
Harleen will like this, right?
(scoffs)
Go get the car.
Everything in the world has a price, Britney.
(continuous low and indistinct chatter)
(bike engine revs)
(gunshots)
Nimma!
(heavy exhale)
Canada isn't just white. there's a bit of red in it too.
Representing people like Nimma.
But to understand Nimma's story, you need to understand Canada.
Here, there are two countries:
one is the land of the white folks, the First World Country, Canada.
The other is the land of immigrants from the Third World, called Kanneda.
Some people leave their homeland hoping for a better future,
while others come to forget their past.
But in a foreign land, immigrants are often seen as second-class citizens.
Then people like Nimma come along and change that perspective.
- Nimma. Let's leave from here. - I'll catch you later.
Shaun is back to cause trouble.
(laughter)
You hear me, I'm not scared...
Nimma, I sent you to school to study,
not to fight.
You want this to be your future?
This country isn't for us.
Let's go back to our village.
There's nothing left in the village either.
Now, Canada is our country.
And to live here, you must go along with the system.
Why didn't you file a complaint with the principal?
Even if I had filed a complaint,
the principal wouldn't see the truth;
he would just see my color.
Have faith in God, Nimma.
He'll help you find peace here.
That's Mr. Bajwa.
He came to Canada thirty years ago.
In a foreign country.
He not only made a name for himself but also earned money.
Today, even the white folks salute him.
- Greetings. - Greetings.
That day Nimma was reassured
that there's a place for every color in Canada.
Greetings.
And by sticking to the right path,
he could bridge the gap from Kanneda to Canada.
Mom!
I'm leaving!
Wait, I'm coming! Wait for me.
Wait.
(grunts)
Remember when you played your first game
wearing borrowed shoes that were too small?
You said, "Mom, if I make the team, Then you buy me new shoes."
You were selected that day,
and I know you'll make it happen again today.
If I get selected this time,
we won't have to worry about the future.
God bless you.
You will certainly get selected.
Give it here.
- Fast, fast, fast, fast. - And again, and again.
- Coach! Coach! - Yeah, yeah.
Nimmo!
- Come here. - (indistinct shouting)
(whistle blowing)
- What's up? - Did they let you play?
Shaun's not here.
Yes.
He broke his leg.
I think I might have a chance
Good riddance. May his leg never heal.
- Hey, Nirmal! Nirmal! - Go, mate.
Go, Nimmo!
(bird chirping)
In the eighties, cocaine ruined American youth.
And in the nineties, the target was Canada.
And Canada's perfect entry point was its biggest port, Vancouver.
My unit was given the responsibility to crack down on the drug mafia network.
Sir, we have to just watch and take pictures today, right?
Yeah.
And if we're lucky, we might find out
what Javier from the Mexican cartel is doing here in Vancouver.
There's an SUV coming.
Get ready.
Javier.
(camera shutter sound)
(sharp exhale)
Sarabjit Randhawa.
(camera shutter sound)
- Javier! - Long time, no?
When the US DEA informed me that Javier from the Mexican cartel
was going to deal with a Canadian gang,
I thought it would be the Red Dragon or some other Chinese gang.
But here, it turns out our own desi folks are involved.
There's just a bit of work needed on the baseline and kick. That's it.
You mean the entire composition.
- Just give it a hear. - I am, I am.
It's good.
So, I was thinking...
Write a bit about your life experience.
Like how you left India. And then...
Maybe you can rap about it?
DJ, I try to forget everything that happened in India...
every single day.
Sorry, bro.
DJ, your beat and rhythm are great, but my luck is a bit off base.
See? You make it look so easy!
Let me first get into college, bro.
A rugby player can get a scholarship for a master's program.
Once life is set, I'll focus on making music!
You don't need a master's degree for that.
How long do you think are these white folks going to tolerate a brown guy in their team?
Coach would have kept me benched if Shaun hadn't broken his leg.
I can't rely on anyone else.
I'll get a degree from an elite college in Vancouver via scholarship
then I will earn the respect and money as well.
So, the thing in the photo isn't available?
- Is that what you mean? - No, that's not available, sir.
- Look at the car, dude. - (indistinct chatter)
All these drug dealers, they've got the best fucking cars.
How do you know he's a drug dealer?
- That car ain't cheap, bro. - (indistinct chatter and chuckles)
Harleen.
Yeah?
I'm looking for an 18-band equalizer.
Oh. I'll place an order. It'll be delivered in a week.
Brother, which amp do you have in your car?
See for yourself, bro.
The sound won't be right without a good amp.
Really?
- Then check it out. - Nice car, bro.
Thank you.
Leather interior, nice.
Let me be honest brother, the amp here is small.
So even if you get an equalizer,
without a good amp, the thump won't be there.
The car's attitude comes from the combination of the amp and the equalizer.
- Really? - Yeah.
I'll be ready in five max, come pick me up. Bye.
You're late.
Nimma had amateur league try-outs.
How's that my problem?
- Come on, please. - (car engine start)
See you next week, bro.
Every time you do this...
An 18-band equalizer, and an amp.
All paid in advance.
I'll see you next week.
- Nice. - By the way, Amateur League, huh?
- Well done. Congratulations. - Thank you.
I'll have a shot in your honor today.
One shot isn't enough.
You've got to have a whole bottle.
- Only if you are buying. - Let's do it right now.
Uh-huh, I've got plans for tonight.
Bye-bye.
I know. You don't need to write anything.
Just keep the beat in your head.
(music playing)
(machine whirring)
- All right then? - Yeah.
The words. We need the words.
Yeah, man.
These are our grooves.
We can totally kill the hip-hop scene.
Yeah. 100% bro, I feel you.
...our music.
100% bro...
So you're getting what I'm saying?
Yeah.
You're getting what I'm talking about?
Yeah, man.
I am fed up with the wedding scene.
This is like making no sense.
Nice dress.
You should compliment the person when looking nice,
not what they are wearing.
That's what I meant.
But in this case... I designed this dress.
So, thank you.
So, what do you think?
Yeah, give me the tape. I'll work on it.
Nice.
UK born Sarabjit Randhawa.
Used to be in the transport business.
Sir, he used to smuggle every illegal thing along with narcotics.
But now his main focus is on drug dealing.
He is planning something big.
That's why he met the Tijuana cartel.
He takes goods from the Chinese gang and supplies them forward.
His front is a strip club -
Fox Strip Club.
He has a real brother, Purab,
whom he wants to keep away from the gang,
and his uncle, Bhuppi.
Kimberly, what do we have on him?
Just a drunk driving charge
and a fine for inappropriate behavior in public.
Do we have an address?
(bell rings)
(continuous low and indistinct chatter)
What the hell?
Subbu...
What's happening?
Some students are selling drugs on campus.
Everyone's locker is being checked.
Who is next?
Locker Number 84.
I think we've got something here.
What!
- This is totally unacceptable. - This isn't mine.
I thought you were a good student.
- That can't be his. - Sir, this isn't mine.
- It's in his locker. - Sir, sir...
- It can't be. - This isn't mine.
This is a set-up. This isn't mine.
- It's not his. It's not his, sir. - No, it can't be his.
This isn't mine.
- No, it can't be his. - We must report this?
- We have to hold him... - Just listen to us.
Please listen to us. It can't be--
- Shaun! You bastard! - Nimma!
(grunting)
In the white-dominated game of rugby, if a Nimma replaces a Shaun,
it shakes up the system.
Shaun trapped Nimma in such a way that not only did he lose the scholarship,
but he also had to leave college.
Nimma was innocent, but the system didn't see the truth.
It saw only his color.
You okay?
Yes.
Are you from Punjab?
Yes.
When did you leave Punjab?
1984.
(sighs)
I left it in 1947.
Funny, how you get to know the whole story from just a number.
Curfew has been imposed due to riots in different areas.
- Hurry up. - Stop pulling me! I'm coming!
- Sikhs are requested not to panic - Come on.
and to stay in their own homes.
Everybody is being informed.
Stop, stop.
- Until the situation becomes calm. - (crying and shouting)
Everyone should stay in their own home.
Come on.
Sit.
Don't come out, no matter what happens.
You are under my oath, Nimma.
- But... - Get in and hide.
(clamoring)
(continuous shouting)
(screaming)
You can take a person out of Punjab,
but you can't take Punjab out of the person.
(dog barking, birds chirping)
Slow down...
I don't have the same stamina as before.
That's why I say we should be doing this more often.
You think I don't want to?
But work is keeping me busy.
(chuckles)
If you keep fighting the cases of these immigrants for free.
- Then how will you get free. - Oh please!
I think you should run for the council elections.
What?
How is it even possible, Ranjit? Be realistic!
It will be great for our community.
You have done so much for the party already.
They will be happy to have an eligible brown candidate.
It will showcase their progressive values.
It's time to give back to Canada.
It has given so much to us.
How much pressure will you put on your parents, huh?
You're from a Middle-class Immigrant family!
What are your plans?
- Do you wish to become a criminal? - Sir, I'm innocent.
(chuckling) Innocent.
Like it's the first time I have heard that.
So what?
Both your education and career prospects are at risk.
What choices do you have left, Nirmal?
- You know what-- - Sir, are you a career counsellor?
- What? - Because it's too late for that.
Right now, I need a good lawyer.
You want to act smart?
If you don't want to hear me say I'm innocent then hear this.
Get me out of here, as soon as you can.
Pay the bail money.
and I'll give you back double the money.
Do you see a fool written on my forehead...
I can't read what's written on your forehead,
but I'm deciding and writing on mine on my own.
What is the guarantee that you'll pay me back?
There's no guarantee for anything in life, sir.
But I give you my word.
I'll make sure your kids don't have to face what happened to me.
We'll do this with paperwork.
By the way, I don't have any kids.
(chuckles)
Papa!
Hi!
What's up? How are you doing?
- Your friend's here. - Who?
Sister-in-law. Randy and I never agreed on anything.
I liked the UK,
and he liked Ibiza.
Then he came here.
We all miss you a lot, over there.
Come, join me for a smoke.
Sweety...
Hold her.
(siren wailing in distance)
(sharp inhale and exhale)
In the UK and Ibiza, you're the "Wanted Kaala Singh".
In Canada, it's Randy.
Now decide who do you want to end up with -
the Scotland Yard or the US DEA.
Sir, I'm done with all this.
I have a wife and a daughter now.
By the way, how many other families do you have, like this one here?
Sir, I swear, these two mean everything to me.
My wife is an orphan. She came here from her village.
Sir, I just have some debt to repay.
Once that's done, I'm quitting all this.
Then do a good deed before you quit.
Sarab.
What does he do, where does he go,
What's he planning, where he's headed next
I need to know everything.
Sir, if Sarab suspects betrayal, he'll kill me.
"If Sarab suspects betrayal..."
And what about us knowing your entire history and geography?
Oh...
- Cottage cheese fritters. - Oh, these are my favorites.
I'll... come on, have some. Eat...
Sister-in-law, I'll come by some other time.
I'm in a hurry now. I'll have dinner next time, okay?
We'll keep meeting frequently now.
- Thank you. - Bye.
Don't worry, God must have something else planned for you.
- (door shuts) - Get ready, Baljit.
We're heading to the police station.
Nimma?
When did you get out of jail?
(keys jangling)
I arranged the bail.
Where did you get money from?
- I didn't ask you for it, - Listen.
Anyway, forget about that and listen to me calmly.
Let's schedule a meeting with Mr. Bajwa for tomorrow.
- He might be able to help-- - I don't need Mr. Bajwa's help.
I'll manage on my own.
If you don't study, then what will you do?
This isn't good for your future.
We live here,
and to stay here respectfully, we need to follow the system.
I don't want to study anymore.
Cos even if I do, I'll just end up being subservient to the white folks.
And I can't do that.
Which system are you talking about anyway?
I followed the system, worked tirelessly to get a scholarship
But what did I gain?
When I asked for my right, They ignored me.
And instead they labelled me as a drug dealer and sent me to jail.
This system isn't built for people like us, dad.
It's just made to deceive us.
So what do you want to do?
My expectations from myself are far higher than yours.
I will find a way to succeed, no matter what.
Why don't you just drink our blood Instead of that buttermilk!
(knock on door)
(door creak)
Hey...
(both laughing)
They let you out of jail!
I thought you'd spend a couple of months there.
Shaun's bruises haven't even faded yet. He's going to face more bashing now.
Fuck that Shaun, DJ.
Play the beat, man.
Let's do a mic drop.
Really? Have you written anything?
Fuckin' yea, man! Let's go!
(hearing music over headphone)
Not bad.
I'll show you the video too, when it's ready.
But we need backing.
Or it will get lost amidst big labels.
Punjab isn't even on my agenda.
- Yes, I know, I know. - And you know
these guys lock their slate at the beginning of the year.
And Punjabi rap is killing it in the UK underground scene.
We can start the same trend here.
Exactly.
Underground.
And here, only mainstream works.
And mainstream means English.
No one will listen to Punjabi rap.
I'm sorry, bro.
Thanks.
Fuck the record label, bro.
They can't suppress our voice.
We'll set the Vancouver underground scene on fire.
(cheering)
The two of you...?
- Yeah. - Rap?
- Yeah. - Yeah.
He's the DJ. I'm the rapper.
Next up on stage we have Nimma and Daljit -
The new Punjabi artists in town.
(cheers and applause)
So proud of you!
(chuckles)
You know, until now, no one has Performed Punjabi rap here.
Let me buy you a drink.
Madam, what will you drink? I pay.
- No, no, no, I'm good. - Bartender!
Bartender, one bottle scotch, here!
You were spewing fire, bro.
- Nimma... - Yeah, I got it. I got it.
(indistinct chatter and laughs)
Hi.
Bye.
Money is nothing.
You've got talent.
Talent doesn't make you money, Brother.
You need money to make more money.
Just like eggs get you chicken and chicken gets you eggs.
And your Harry is a fucking poultry farm.
- (chuckles) - Worry not. Bottoms up.
Let's go, Nimma.
I've got a bottle to finish, man.
Spoken like a true Punjabi, bro!
Let's get wasted! (mumbles)
I will take care.
Sorry.
Why are we hanging out with him?
He's got a bungalow in West Vancouver.
Carries bag full of cash.
I think we need to change the way we think.
Listen...
- Here you go. - (keys jangling)
Thank you, Brother.
I'm only giving you to drive, It's not a gift, fucker.
- (giggles) - Get in.
Fuck.
(car engine revs)
It looks like the after-party went on well into the morning.
You're here, so where's Daljit?
I have to cover his shift.
Man, you should have been there last night.
The crowd absolutely loved us.
We killed it.
Oh, by the way...
DJ got lucky with white girl last night.
She was impressed. She left her number with him.
(hums)
(chuckles)
So, you didn't get lucky with a white girl?
I don't like those white girls.
I'll only settle with one of our own.
(telephone ringing)
- Hello? - Hello. Can I talk to Mr. Nirmal?
Yeah, just a sec.
It's for you.
Hello?
How are you, son?
Uncle, there are still twenty days left for the month to end.
No, I just called to check if you're available at this number.
I know you'll pay the money.
Okay, Nirmal.
Thank you.
So, university, masters - cancel?
Music business, huh?
To make money from any business, you first have to invest in it.
Can you pass me the phone?
Sure.
What's up, Brother?
Very good.
Tell me what you can do for me?
You want to be a peddler?
Or a bouncer?
Is this what you want to end up doing after educating yourself?
- Tell me! - It's not that, Brother.
I just don't want my efforts to go futile anymore.
Brother, Can you make me meet Sarab sir?
Wants to meet Sarab sir!
Learn to walk first before you run, bro.
He's got the entire Vancouver under his thumb.
Do you have any idea how many illegal immigrants come to Canada every day?
Do you really think Sarab sir will meet just anybody?
Tell me!
Where are we going, Brother?
We're going to give Mikey's paymet.
He is Sarab Sir's weed supplier.
- Get down. - Why?
They pull out their guns On seeing a stranger.
Just wait here; I'll drop this off and be back in a jiffy.
(exhales)
- (gunshot) - (groans)
Mikey, what happened? I give money no!
We trusted you.
Don't fucking do it!
Leave me... let me go, you fucker!
Fuck you.
What are you talking about?
Sarab sir is going to be really fucking pissed about this.
Fuck you.
- Fuck you. - Fuck you.
Hey you...
Keep him here.
(grunts)
Come here, you snake.
- Come here. - You do wrong.
- You came to us, mate. - Mikey, you do wrong.
Listen to the baby.
- You do wrong. - Full of shit, mate! Full of shit!
Hey suck it! Suck it!
You... Fuck you.
You son of a bitch.
- What's wrong with you? - You...
Knees on your knees
Get on the knees
Get him on the feet
On your fuckin' knees!
- You'll regret. - No no.
Mikey, no.
- It's cool, yeah? - No.
- (grunting) - Take your eye...
- Mikey... - ...Eye out!
Don't make mistake, Mikey.
Down! Stay down!
- Stay fucking down! - Fuck you!
- Stay back! - Fucking dead!
- Untie him! - Untie me.
Put your gun down.
Put the fucking gun down.
- Fuck you. - Stay back!
I'll shoot. Stay back.
Move back!
- Stay. - Stay back!
- Stay there. - Fuckin' dead man.
- Stay there. - Fuckin' dead.
You're fuckin' dead man!
What the fuck have you done!
(tires screeching)
Fuckin' get 'em!
- Fuck you! - (gun firing)
Keep an eye on them; they might follow us.
They won't.
I took out all the spark plugs.
Fuck!
(laughs)
Fuck!
(giggles)
Sarab sir will make them pay for this!
Now I will proudly take you to Sarab sir.
Your spot in the gang is now final.
The respect he didn't get from Canada -
Nimma was ready to take it by force now.
(pop music playing)
- Sir. - Yeah?
He's Nimma.