Pixar to feature its first Sikh character in ‘Turning Red’
Pixar is showcasing its first Sikh character in “Turning Red,” an upcoming feature film by Oscar-winning director Domee Shi.
A historic movie: Set for release on March 11, 2022, “Turning Red” will mark a few firsts for Pixar, which dropped the movie’s first teaser trailer last week.
The studio’s first Sikh character is a school security guard, who appears in the trailer wearing a uniform and a navy-colored turban. He is also seen donning a “kada” (or “kara”), a religious bangle that symbolizes infinity, strength and humility.
“Turning Red” is the studio’s first feature film directed by a woman of color. Shi, who won the Academy Award for best animated short film for “Bao” in 2019, is Chinese Canadian.
The new movie is also Shi’s first-ever feature film. She has, however, contributed to other Pixar creations, including “Inside Out,” “Incredibles 2” and “Toy Story 4.”
Reactions: Sikh community members and social media users are lauding Pixar for its attention to representation and cultural diversity.
The New York City-based Sikh Coalition, a national organization, acknowledged the news using the hashtag #RepresentationMatters.
BuzzFeed writer Simrin Singh wrote: “Growing up, I never could have imagined seeing an observant Sikh in a Pixar movie. It’s so exciting to think of all the little Sikh kids who get to see this Sardar on screen and feel included. More of this, please!"
Others shared the same sentiment. “First time I've seen Sikhs being represented in a Pixar movie and I can’t tell you how happy I am right now,” one user wrote.
Check out more reactions below:
Pixar has a Sikh character in its new feature film "Turning Red". Look how much detail they've put into him, he even has his own "Kara". Beautiful! He's a guard of the school. 😍#TurningRed#Pixar#DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/mw325ewsiI
— Arwee 🐬 (@winjeetsandhu) July 13, 2021
I'm not sure how much better this can get...
✅ Visibly Sikh character with a turban and kara
✅ Character with type 1 diabetes - visible monitor on their arm
✅ Set in Toronto?!? 🇨🇦🍁❤️
✅ Backstreet Boys song in the trailer?!? 😍#RepresentationMatters #TurningRed @Pixar https://t.co/R2aOH8N8V8
— Ish Narotra (@IshNarotra) July 14, 2021
Much respect to Pixar for introducing a Sikh character, can’t wait!!! At least Hollywood 🙌🏼 knows how to treat Sikh’s loyalty unlike Bollywood does 👎🏼. Just look at the details. The Sikh character even has a Kada in his right hand that’s how much detail Hollywood goes into. 👏🏼 https://t.co/GYPtFqqsJW pic.twitter.com/4JnUf7jlc1
— Roop Chatha (@roop501) July 14, 2021
Is that….a Sikh man represented in w Pixar movie????
This means so much, I am crying #RepresentationMatters https://t.co/mCUmjAMix1
— Magister Maya 🐍⚔️ #ACSISTERHOOD (@kulpreetvirdi) July 13, 2021
OMGGG A SIKH IN A PIXAR MOVIEEE!! I don’t even care what the movie is about, who’s going with me to see him https://t.co/HrQwUhu1ZF
— Manpreet Singh ☬ (@smanpreet246) July 13, 2021
Featured Image via Pixar
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