Bhangra film documentary reveals what makes the popular dance group tick

A documentary about a group of Bhangra dancers in Nova Scotia and its evolution into a vehicle for "joyful activism" was released Friday.

Filmmaker NanceAckermansaid she was intrigued by the popularity ofthe Maritime Bhangra Group, whose videoof them dancing on the rocks at Peggys Cove, N.S., went viral in 2016.

During the making of the documentary, she said she discovered what makes the dancers so appealing, and why they use their performances to raise awareness aboutissues such asclimate change and diseases including ALS and breast cancer.

The term she usedwas "joyful activism."

"Theyare doing it with hope and with laughter....They are very joyful and dedicated and committed to change," Ackermantold CBC News.

In the cut-throat world of social media, where nastiness is frequently used to draw attention, theMaritime Bhangra Group provides something different and refreshing, the documentary maker said.

"Theyare justwonderful people who truly care.I think these guys truly have it in their heart," said Ackerman.

Hasmeet Singh, whofounded the group with his brother,Kunwardeep Singh, saidthe documentary is the story of five immigrants and their quest to give back to their community.

"We're not in a position to tell anyone what to do," he said of their support for good causes, adding they are open to suggestions for ways to help out.

Watching the documentary brought mixed emotions, Hasmeet Singh said.

"Much laughter.We cried. We focused on all the mistakes we made in English grammar. We laughed at each other," he said.

He reminisced about how the group was first seenas "a bunch of people dancing on the street," before attracting media attention with their energetic performances and eventual participationinCanada 150 celebrations.