One of B.C.’s best-known journalists of Punjabi ancestry has passed away at the age of 59 from colon cancer. Rajpaul Singh Dhillon, a.k.a. R. Paul Dhillon, was also a screenwriter, producer, and director.
His films included the documentary Moe Sihota: Feared and Desired, which screened at VISAFF in 2016, and a 2019 romantic comedy called The Fusion Generation, which starred A.J. Sidhu, Dasaundha Kaler, and Sitara Hewitt.
Dhillon also co-wrote and directed the 2009 dramatic feature, Sweet Amerika. It’s about a Sikh grocery store owner played by Gulshan Grover who’s kidnapped and tortured following 9/11. It all came because four ignorant Americans mistook the grocer for a Muslim because he wears a turban.
There will be a funeral service for Dhillon at 3 p.m. on Saturday (June 20) at the Five Rivers Funeral Home (7410 Hopcott Road, Delta). He died on June 12
As a journalist, Dhillon was the longtime editor of the Link, gaining widespread popularity for his fiery articles.
“His writing strongly advocated against racism and highlighted issues affecting the Punjabi and Sikh communities,” noted journalist Gurpreet S. Sahota on X. “During the newspaper era, we shared many years of professional competition in breaking news stories. Although we had not been in contact for the past several years, I learned of this sad news today through a memorial poster.”
Dhillon also edited the Indo-Canadian Voice and co-founded Aaj Magazine. In addition, he wrote film reviews for the Georgia Straight. In 2021, Dhillon was inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame.
Dhillon’s Facebook page is filled with tributes from his many admirers.
“He wasn’t 60 but lived many lifetimes and achieved many things people don’t do in their whole lifetimes…in that sense, he lived [to] a 100!” wrote lawyer Harp Sanghera. “His memory & legacy will stay on forever. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal praised Dhillon in the House of Commons for amplifying diverse voices and strengthening communities.
“My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” Dhaliwal stated.
Today in the House of Commons, I honoured the life and legacy of @rpauldhillon, an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and storyteller whose work amplified diverse voices and strengthened our communities.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/zTTfBw8LdF
— Sukh Dhaliwal (@sukhdhaliwal) June 16, 2026
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