While the global film community celebrated new releases at Cannes, Indian filmmaker Honey Trehan quietly hosted a private screening of his latest crime thriller, Punjab ’95, a movie caught in a prolonged struggle with India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film, starring acclaimed singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, remains uncertified for commercial release in India since its submission in December 2022, sparking concerns that it may never reach audiences in its intended form.
Punjab ’95 chronicles the harrowing true story of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who uncovered evidence of the abduction, murder, and cremation of over 25,000 Sikhs by police forces during Punjab’s insurgency from 1984 to 1995. Khalra’s courageous campaign, which reached as far as the Canadian Parliament, ultimately cost him his life after his abduction in 1995. Dosanjh portrays Khalra, while Arjun Rampal plays a CBI officer investigating the case. The film was produced by RSVP Movies and MacGuffin Pictures, co-founded by Trehan.
The journey to release has been fraught with controversy. After a six-month wait, the CBFC demanded 21 cuts, including renaming the film from Ghallughara—a term referring to historical Sikh massacres—and altering the protagonist’s name, a move Trehan vehemently opposed given the film’s biographical nature. Unable to accept these changes, Trehan and producers pursued legal recourse, appealing in the High Court after the abolition of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) left filmmakers without a direct appeals body.
Political pressure appears to be a significant factor behind the film’s censorship woes. Trehan alleges interference from central government officials, asserting, “If my film is judged incorrect, it implies the Constitution of India is also incorrect.” Industry insiders suggest concerns about possible community unrest and diplomatic tensions—especially given strained India-Canada relations following allegations linked to the killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist leader.
International exposure also suffered. Though Punjab ’95 was slated for the Toronto International Film Festival’s Gala Presentations in 2023, it was withdrawn amid ongoing legal battles. Offers from other international festivals were similarly declined due to external pressures.
Even after agreeing to the initial cuts, further demands pushed the total number beyond 120, including calls to remove the Indian flag and references to the police’s misconduct—elements central to the film’s factual narrative. Trehan and Dosanjh have vowed to disassociate from the movie should any censored version be released, emphasizing their commitment to preserving its integrity.
The challenges facing Punjab ’95 are emblematic of a wider trend in the Indian film industry, where several critically acclaimed films, such as Sandhya Suri’s Santosh and Arun Karthick’s Nasir, face similar certification hurdles. This underscores ongoing tensions between creative expression and political sensitivities.
Despite these setbacks, private screenings have generated strong audience reactions, reflecting the film’s powerful storytelling. Trehan continues his filmmaking journey, recently completing a Netflix sequel to Rat Akeli Hai, while keeping hopes alive for Punjab ’95’s eventual rightful release.
