Lawrence docuseries sparks row; Makers say it is not meant to glorify

A documentary series on Lawrence Bishnoi has drawn criticism for glamorising the gangster. The objections were raised by Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Punjab Congress chief, who said in a social media post that the series should be banned because it tarnishes Punjab’s identity. Makers, however, say the documentary aims to present a narrative that is both “informative and deeply human, approached with balance, restraint and sensitivity.”

We’ve tried to present a narrative that is both informative and deeply human: Director
Meanwhile, Director Raghav Darr said in the series announcement statement that the project was conceived as an exploration of the conditions that shape such people. “ Lawrence of Punjab was always envisioned as more than just a crime story. Our intent was to understand the ‘why’ behind the making of such identities: the environment, the influences, and the systems that shape them. At the same time, it was equally important to reflect on what these journeys leave behind. Through this series, we’ve tried to present a narrative that is both informative and deeply human,” he said.

Warring sends legal notice to OTT platform
Amarinder Singh Warring, in a social media post, said he would move the High Court and file a PIL seeking a ban on the series. He wrote, “I lost my friend Sidhu Moosewala to Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang. His death was a loss for every Punjabi, for millions of his fans around the world. And today, ZEE5 wants to give that same gangster a docuseries called ‘Lawrence of Punjab’? Not just Sidhu — hundreds of Punjabis have lost their lives to this network of crime. Countless families are still grieving, still bleeding. This TV series is not content. This is a slap on every one of us… I am filing a PIL. This series must be banned.” He also sent a legal notice to the OTT platform, stating, “We chose the legal path because silence would be a betrayal.”

No intent to hurt sentiments of any community: Zee5

‘Why write Lawrence of Punjab? Punjab has no connection with it’
Amarinder Singh Warring also objected to the title in a video, saying, “Even as we have an objection to the entire series, they have titled it Lawrence of Punjab, though Punjab has no connection with it. He is from Rajasthan.” He added that it could have been named after a place in Rajasthan.
With Lawrence of Punjab, we wanted to move beyond the surface of crime narratives, say Zee5
Responding to the criticism, the platform’s spokesperson said in a statement, “The platform remains committed to presenting a wide spectrum of stories from across the country. The content showcased conforms to the applicable laws. As India’s home-grown digital entertainment platform, we have no intentions to hurt the sentiments of any individual or communities.”

Kaveri Das, Business Head – Hindi of Zee5, adds, “With Lawrence of Punjab , we wanted to move beyond the surface of crime narratives and explore the deeper cultural context that shapes them. This is not a story about glorifying individuals, but about understanding the ecosystem.”Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”