Mumbai: The burning issue of racial discrimination against Asians in the West and the slow but determined movement to secure the right to live peacefully in the adopted country forms the theme of the film 'I Proud to be an Indian', slated to be released shortly.

The film, featuring an international crew, including two artistes of Pakistani origin and British actors, has been directed by UK-based director Puneet Sira and is produced by actor-turned-producer Sohail Khan.

Speaking to reporters, Puneet said the issue of racial discrimination was a chosen as a theme because it is something that he personally experienced on a daily basis while schooling in the 70's.

"We have had bricks thrown at our home, stinker bomb letters saying 'Go Back Home' dispatched, been abused at school for being brown and a host of insults heaped upon me and my family for being Asian," he said.

"The film attempts to capture the period of the 70's when the racial campaign headed by the self- proclaimed tribe called the skinheads dominated the scene," he said.

"The skinheads actually were like neo-Nazis, who displayed black shoe laces when initiated into the group and switched to red ones when they graduated in it. The film captures their tirade against the brown migrants," Puneet, who shot the film in 30 days in UK said.

"The film aims to dispel the popular myth that the West was all about glamour and hitting big. The movie attempts to throw light on the dark side of the West as well and the film's unique selling point is this reality that I have the right to live despite my colour," he said.

According to Imran, an artiste with Pakistan origin, "The film also takes a look at the perpetual divide between the Indians and Pakistanis."

"In the West this divide is not too noticeable because the issue of racial discrimination dominates. You can't be fighting your cultural brother when there is an onslaught from another," says Imran, who plays the role of Pakistani boy who forges a bond with the Indian protagonist in the film.

Imran, a UK-born theatre artiste, also admits to facing the brunt of racial discrimination. "I actually got thrown out of school for constantly picking up fights against whom I considered as the racial bullies. But I am glad I stood up for my Rights and even put an end to racial discrimination in my school," he said.

According to Sohail Khan, the protagonist of the film, who interestingly does not have a name in the film, the seeds of the film were sown during his travel around the globe when he heard of horrifying stories about racism.

"I was perplexed to think that such incidents occur even today," he said.

On his choice of artiste of Pakistani origin, "I took these artists because their diction, the culture they reflect went along with the character. I have not done it either to please or displease anyone," he said.

According to Heena, the female protagonist, the film sends out a clear message of the need to bury the Indo-Pak divide and stand up for our Rights in a scenario where racial discrimination exists.

"I proud to be an Indian" would be premiered soon. "I hope to show the movie to the Prime Minister, A B Vajpayee and the Deputy Prime Minister, L K Advani," he adds.

PTI