The BBC World Service has released a controversial two-part documentary, "The Killing Call," on YouTube, delving into the life and death of Punjabi hip-hop star Sidhu Moose Wala, three years after his murder on May 29, 2022. The release coincided with what would have been Moose Wala's 31st birthday on June 11, but occurred amidst legal challenges from the singer's father, Balkaur Singh Sidhu, who sought to block its release, arguing it could impact the ongoing investigation.

The documentary includes interviews with Moose Wala's friends, journalists, and police officers from Punjab and Delhi. Notably, it features an audio interview with Goldy Brar, a Canada-based gangster who claimed responsibility for orchestrating the murder. Brar, associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, justified the killing in the interview, stating that Moose Wala had made "unforgivable mistakes" and that "it was either him or us."

According to Brar, Moose Wala's "arrogance" led to actions that could not be excused, suggesting the singer played a role in the murder of Vicky Middukhera. Brar told BBC Eye that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang wanted Moose Wala to "face punishment". These claims are part of the narrative explored in the documentary as it investigates the motives behind the murder.

The first episode of "The Killing Call" examines Moose Wala's early life, his meteoric rise to fame, and the controversies that surrounded his career. The second part focuses on the circumstances of his death. The BBC's YouTube description of the documentary highlights the key questions it seeks to answer: how Moose Wala made enemies of India's most feared gang and why they wanted him dead.

Balkaur Singh Sidhu has expressed strong objections to the documentary. He filed a plea in a Mansa court seeking a stay on its release, and also lodged complaints with the Director General of Police in Maharashtra and the Juhu police station in Mumbai. He argued that the documentary was made without the family's permission and might contain false content, potentially tarnishing his son's legacy. He raised concerns that the documentary includes interviews with individuals named in the First Information Report (FIR) related to his son's murder, which he believes could affect the ongoing legal case.

Despite these efforts, the court declined to issue a temporary block on the documentary, scheduling a full hearing for June 12. The BBC proceeded with the YouTube release, foregoing a planned screening in Mumbai.

Sidhu Moose Wala, whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was shot dead in broad daylight in Punjab's Mansa district. Goldy Brar claimed responsibility for the murder shortly after the event via a Facebook post. Moose Wala was hit by 24 bullets and declared dead on arrival at the hospital. A cousin and a friend accompanying him were injured but survived.