Express & Star

Wolverhampton's Sathnam Sanghera to present new TV documentary

Wolverhampton-born Sathnam Sanghera is set to present a new documentary marking 100 years since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Published
Sathnam at Wolverhampton Literature Festival

The author of 'Boy With a Top Knot' was chosen to present Channel 4's film 'The Massacre that Shook the Empire'.

Several hundred people were killed on April 13, 1919, when British troops open fired on a peaceful gathering at the park in Amritsar, Punjab.

In the documentary Sathnam traces the moments that lead up to the massacre.

He said he thinks people will be "stunned" by what he found out.

"It's about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre which happened in 1919 as it's the centenary coming up.

"It's one of the most important events in 20th century history, not only in Britain but in Indian history.

"It's really important and very important for British Punjabis like me.

"It's probably been a really profound effect on me because it's made me realise how little I knew about Indian history.

"It's going to be really intense, I was really shocked by what I found out and what current attitudes are.

"I think people are going to be stunned by what I found out.

"I hope it makes people think."

The documentary will air in the coming weeks.

The Times journalist Sathnam took to the stage with Richard Herring for a live podcast in Bilston as part of Wolverhampton Literature Festival earlier this year.

The Boy With The Topknot was turned into a 90-minute television drama and released at the end of 2017. And the one-off drama based on Sathnam’s memoirs has been shortlisted by charity Mind for its 2018 Media Awards.