release of controversial film Diljit Dosanjh Panjab 95 postponed again
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming film Punjab ’95 has been long overdue for a release in India. The film, based on the life and death of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was scheduled to release worldwide on February 7. But now its release has been postponed. On Monday, Diljit and other actors announced that their film will not release as planned.
Late on Monday evening, Diljit gave this information by writing a note on Instagram Stories. The singer wrote, “We are sorry and saddened to inform you that due to circumstances beyond our control, the film Punjab ’95 will not be released on February 7.” Along with this, in another of his stories, he also shared a photo of the late Khalra, on which a quote from him was written. It was written on this photo: “I pray to the Guru who knows the truth to keep this flame burning.”
Punjab ’95, directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, also stars Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, Varun Badola and Geetika Vidya Ohlan. The film has been mired in controversy for almost three years, ever since it was submitted to the CBFC for certification.
Title change and 120 cuts
In 2022, Punjab ’95, then titled Ghalughara after the Ghalughara Massacre, was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification. However, the CBFC made 120 cuts in the film and objected to the title. Eventually, the highest Sikh religious body, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), intervened and the CBFC relented to the cuts, but still demanded that the title be changed. Eventually, the film was renamed Punjab ’95. The film’s trailer was released on YouTube the same year, but was removed after a day.
