Panjab ’95, the highly anticipated political thriller starring Diljit Dosanjh, has encountered yet another roadblock. Initially scheduled for a global release in February, the film—based on the life and tragic death of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra—will no longer hit cinemas as planned.
Diljit shared the disappointing news with fans via Instagram Stories on Monday night. His post read: “We are sorry, and it pains us to inform you that the movie Panjab ’95 will not release on 7th Feb due to circumstances beyond our control.” Alongside this, the singer-actor posted an image of Khalra with one of his quotes: “I pray to the Guru, who identified with truth, to keep this light lit.”
Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, the film features an ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, Varun Badola, and Geetika Vidya Ohlan. Despite its compelling subject matter, Panjab ’95 has faced a series of setbacks over the past three years, beginning with its submission to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Originally titled Ghalughara—a reference to the Ghalughara massacre—the film was submitted to the CBFC in 2022. The board raised objections, demanding 120 cuts and a change in title. Although the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) intervened to reduce the number of cuts, the CBFC insisted on a title change, leading to the film being renamed Panjab ’95.
The controversy didn’t end there. The initial trailer, launched on YouTube, was mysteriously removed just a day later. While a new trailer was shared by Diljit on Instagram earlier this month, the promise of an uncensored international release on 7 February has been overshadowed by the absence of any clarity on an India release.
In 2023, Panjab ’95 was set to make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). However, it was pulled from the lineup just a day before its scheduled screening. A source told Variety that “political forces” were at play, particularly given the significant Sikh population in Canada. TIFF organisers neither confirmed nor denied these claims, leaving the situation shrouded in speculation.
The story of Jaswant Singh Khalra
Panjab ’95 chronicles the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who exposed the mass cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab between 1984 and 1994. His investigations revealed alleged fake encounters by the Punjab Police during the militancy period, leading to his abduction in 1995. A decade later, four police officers were arrested for his abduction and murder.
The film promises to deliver an unflinching account of Khalra’s life and work, which remains a deeply sensitive chapter in Punjab’s history. The portrayal of such controversial events has evidently provoked political and institutional pushback, contributing to its ongoing struggles with censorship and distribution.
With no updates on a new release date, the fate of Panjab ’95 remains uncertain. The film’s continued delays highlight the challenges of addressing politically charged narratives in Indian cinema.