GIRMIT

The Fields of Sadness

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Sat, Oct 25, 2025 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT

Cineplex Cinemas Coquitlam and VIP, 170 Schoolhouse Street Coquitlam, BC V3K 6V6 Canada

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About "GIRMIT: Fields of Sadness":

A powerful documentary feature chronicling the experiences of indentured labourers from India transported to Fiji between 1879 and 1920, combining historical documentation with emotional storytelling.

About KRE-AT® Media Productions:

Founded by Tom Dutta, specializing in bringing powerful, transformative stories to audiences across Canada.

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VANCOUVER, BC — May 8, 2025 — KRE-AT® Media Productions proudly announces the EXCLUSIVE CANADIAN PREMIERE of “Girmit: The Fields of Sadness,” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Upadhyay and based on Rajendra Prasad’s book “Tears in Paradise.” This groundbreaking documentary feature chronicling the untold story of indentured labourers will debut in Metro Vancouver in October 2025.

The powerful documentary feature, released in 2024 and nominated for recognition at the Nepal Film Festival, is currently being submitted to additional international festivals and is slated for television and streaming distribution in 2026.

KRE-AT® has secured exclusive rights to present the Canadian premiere through a formal agreement with director Upadhyay and co-producer Prasad. The announcement will be formally presented at the Indo Fijian Cultural Society of Canada’s Girmitiya Day celebration on May 14, 2025. What began as a professional project for KRE-AT® founder Tom Dutta transformed into a personal journey when research revealed his direct connection to the Girmit experience through his great-grandfather, Bhagwan Ram (Lalli Maharaj), a prominent Girmitiya who arrived in Fiji in 1904.

“This documentary feature isn’t just a project—it’s my heritage and a chapter of my family’s story nearly lost to time,” says Dutta. “When I discovered my connection to Lalli Maharaj while working on my doctorate, I knew bringing this film to Canada wasn’t just an opportunity—it was a responsibility.”

The documentary feature has already garnered international recognition and support from communities in Fiji, United Kingdom, New Zealand, USA, and across Canada, highlighting the global significance of this historical narrative. “This documentary feature is more than a visual account—it is a voice long silenced,” states Rajendra Prasad, producer, and author. “Our ancestors toiled, bled, and wept in silence—their story erased from textbooks and public memory. Through this film, I sought to give them the dignity of remembrance.” 

Director Shyam Upadhyay adds, “This documentary feature is more than a historical recount— it’s a journey into a forgotten chapter of our shared past, an act of remembrance that still cries for justice.”

The October 2025 premiere will feature an exclusive screening with 5.1 Surround Sound, an in- person appearance by director Upadhyay, a Q&A session, limited signed copies of “Tears in Paradise,” and special recognition of families with Girmitiya ancestry. Select sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations wishing to align with this landmark cultural event.

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Early Praise for the Canadian Premiere Initiative

"GIRMIT – The Fields of Sadness is more than a documentary—it is a voice long silenced, a tribute to the untold suffering of the Girmitiyas. As the producer, I was compelled by a hidden truth that the historians chose to ignore - that the Girmit system in Fiji was a crime against humanity. Our ancestors toiled, bled, and wept in silence—exploited, dehumanized, and forgotten. Their pain seeped into the soil, yet their story was erased from textbooks and public memory to protect those who visited the most atrocious crimes against our Girmitiya ancestors. Through this film—and my books Tears in Paradise and Enslaved in Paradise—I sought to give them the dignity of remembrance. To honor their sacrifice. To ensure their legacy is no longer hidden, but etched in the hearts of their descendants, including those who view it. This is not just a film. It is a reckoning. A resurrection. A promise that they who suffered the insufferable and endured the unendurable will never be forgotten!"
Rajendra PrasadProducer (New Zealand)
"As the director of GIRMIT: The Fields of Sadness, I am humbled to see this story reach audiences in Vancouver. This film is more than a historical recount—for me it's a journey into a forgotten chapter of our shared past. I felt a deep personal responsibility to echo the silenced voices of the Girmitiyas. Their pain, resilience, and legacy continue to shape the lives of millions in the Indian diaspora. This documentary is our tribute—an act of remembrance that still cries for justice."
Shyam UpadhyayDirector (India)
"In the past, Girmit was a word born from broken promises—an agreement misunderstood, endured in silence. Today, we reclaim it. This Girmit is our agreement, made freely, in honour, to uplift a story once hidden. Join us in this modern Girmit—an agreement not of burden, but of belonging."
Thomas A. DuttaFounder & CEO KRE-AT®, Author, TEDx Speaker, Radio and Film Producer, Descendant of Girmitiyas "
"The story of the Girmitiyas represents a profound chapter in Fiji's history and cultural identity. I am pleased to see this important film being shared with Canadian audiences, especially given the significant Indo-Fijian diaspora in British Columbia. This initiative strengthens the cultural bonds between our nations while honoring the resilience and contributions of those who came before us. The film is being planned to be screened in Fiji at 3 venues in May 2025, demonstrating its significance to our people."
Hon. Manoa S. N. Kamikamica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Government of Fiji
"Throughout my career working in corrections, in British Columbia's Legislative Assembly, and in community building, I've seen firsthand how powerful stories can bridge divides and create understanding across cultures. My doctoral research on 'Public Policy in a Complex Society' affirmed that meaningful change happens when we acknowledge and learn from diverse historical narratives. Having welcomed youth into my home and worked extensively with various communities to develop inclusive policies, I recognize that the untold story of the Girmitiyas represents a critical chapter in our shared Canadian mosaic. This is especially significant for Surrey, our province's largest and fastest-growing city with a vibrant Indo-Fijian community. The Canadian premiere of 'Girmit: Fields of Sadness' offers an important opportunity to illuminate this history and deepen our collective understanding. As someone passionate about intergenerational learning and storytelling, I believe this documentary will help us pass vital knowledge to future generations, ensuring these experiences are remembered, honored, and used to build a more compassionate society. I look forward to this significant cultural event that aligns with my lifelong commitment to bringing communities together through understanding and respect."
Dr. Gordon Hogg, PhDFormer Member of Parliament for South Surrey-White Rock, Former Member of the Legislative Assembly, Former Mayor of White Rock, and Public Policy Scholar.
"Throughout my career in public service, I've witnessed how sharing untold stories creates profound connections within our diverse communities. When Tom Dutta shared his personal connection to the Girmitiya experience during our podcast conversation last year, I was moved by this important chapter of history that deserves wider recognition. The Canadian premiere of 'Girmit: The Fields of Sadness' represents a significant opportunity for British Columbians to learn about the resilience and contributions of the Indo-Fijian community, whose history has too often remained in the shadows. This documentary illuminates a crucial part of our shared global heritage and embodies the grassroots storytelling that has always been vital to building understanding and inclusion. I look forward to seeing this film and supporting initiatives that help us acknowledge our complex past while creating a more just and connected future for all Canadians."
Hon. Mike HarcourtFormer Premier of British Columbia (1991-1996), Former Three-Term Mayor of Vancouver (1980-1986), and Community Advocate
"The story of the Girmitiyas is an essential chapter in our shared history that deserves to be widely known. Having served as President and CEO of a significant city, building business stakeholder in Surrey for 18 years, I've witnessed the important cultural and economic contributions of the Indo-Fijian community. This Canadian premiere of 'Girmit: Fields of Sadness' offers a valuable opportunity to honor this heritage, and I fully support this cultural initiative."
Anita HubermanHonorary Captain, Royal Canadian Navy; President, Anita Huberman Enterprises, Surrey, BC
"Almost every Indo-Fijian is a descendant of Girmitiyas. This Exclusive Canadian Premier gives our Canadian Indo-Fijian diaspora the opportunity to learn and connect with our forgotten history. Our Girmitiyas are the foundation of our unique Island Culture, and this Documentary not only showcases the hardships they endured but also celebrates their work ethic and resiliency. Without them, we would not be here today."
Rizwaan AbbasArchaeologist and Cultural Historian of Indo-Fijian descent, Descendant of Girmitiyas, and First Generation Canadian
"The Girmit Experience (www.girmit.world), launched by Nutkhut in 2020, reimagined how the history of indentured labour is seen and shared—igniting curiosity, sparking global dialogue, and earning award-winning recognition. As an actor and Artistic Director, Ajay Chhabra combined performance with deep research to uncover stories long buried. His personal journey—tracing his ancestry through Fiji, California, London, The National Archives, Kew Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, and United Nations archives—led him back to the very village his forebears once left. This act of rediscovery became a shared movement, creating digital platforms and opening access to those whose histories have been silenced. 'Respecting our past isn't about nostalgia,' says Chhabra, 'it's about justice—about placing stories where they belong, in the hands of those ready to shape what comes next.' The Girmit Experience bridges memory and modernity—transforming history into a foundation for belonging, resilience, and future vision. What drives me in life is bringing people from different countries, cultures, and communities together through festivals, events, and partnerships. I support Tom Dutta as a vital force for change in Canada. As a growing global community of families connected to Girmit and indenture seeks to understand and reclaim complex histories, Tom's leadership, vision, and initiatives deserve our strong support and active engagement."
Ajay ChhabraCEO and Artistic Director, Nutkhut, London UK
"I proudly support this cultural initiative and its screening in Canada. This project holds deep personal significance for my family, whose history is connected to the Girmitiya journey. Honoring the resilience, struggles, and enduring spirit of our ancestors is a powerful reminder of where we come from. Supporting this initiative abroad allows us to share and preserve our heritage while connecting the Fijian diaspora to the stories that shaped our identity. The 60,000 indentured laborers from India that were brought to Fiji by the British colonial administration under the "Girmit" system", have endured harsh conditions, separation from their homeland, and tremendous hardship, yet they persevered with dignity and strength, laying the foundation for generations to come. This initiative is a way of honoring their sacrifices and ensuring that their stories are remembered."
Indra BhanCOO Surrey, BC Board of Trade and Girmitiya Descendent
"Our ancestors, the Girmitiyas, embarked on a journey to Fiji with unwavering courage and resilience, laying the groundwork for future generations to thrive. Their legacy of strength and perseverance continues to inspire us, as their struggles are not forgotten but remembered, shared, and deeply honored. The documentary Girmit: Fields of Sadness provides a poignant glimpse into the hardships they endured during the Girmit era, offering a valuable opportunity to reflect on their enduring spirit."
Narendra Narayan President and CEO Innovative Circuits Engineering; President US Fiji Chamber of Commerce, San Jose California
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