The biopic “Punjab ’95,” starring Diljit Dosanjh and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, continues to face significant hurdles as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) presses for more alterations. Originally, the CBFC had recommended 85 cuts to the film directed by Honey Trehan. However, recent developments have revealed that these demands have now escalated to nearly 120 changes. The CBFC’s Revising Committee, led by chairman Prasoon Joshi, has reviewed the film and suggested even more drastic modifications than before.
In addition to the increased number of cuts, one of the most contentious recommendations involves renaming the protagonist and changing the film’s title. The movie cannot be titled “Punjab ’95″—a year that marks the disappearance and subsequent murder of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Instead, the CBFC suggests renaming the film to “Sutlej,” symbolizing the river that flows through Punjab. Moreover, the protagonist, who is based on Khalra, should not bear his name. This has sparked a considerable backlash from the film’s team.
A source from the film’s production team described the anguish caused by these demands, stating, “There are almost 120 changes now! The most pivotal change is to not call the protagonist Jaswant Singh anymore. Honey and producer Ronnie Screwvala communicated to the CBFC that renaming the character in a film that seeks to highlight Khalra’s significant role in documenting the abduction and killing of Sikh youths during the Punjab insurgency from 1984 to 1994 is unacceptable. They argued that Khalra is regarded as a martyr by the Sikh community. Removing his name would be disrespectful to him, his family, and the entire community. Moreover, it would no longer be a biopic if these changes were implemented.”
Jaswant Singh Khalra disappeared in September 1995. His disappearance led to an investigation, and a decade later, six Punjab police officials were convicted for his murder. The filmmakers view this story as an essential chapter in history that needs to be told authentically, complete with the original names and titles intact.
In addition to renaming the character and film, the CBFC has laid out several other conditions. For instance, a Gurbani recitation scene must be removed.
. There should be no mentions of the state of Punjab or the district of Tarn Taran. Displaying the national flag or any references to Canada or the UK have also been prohibited. According to the source, “The CBFC’s mandate states that compliance with these changes will result in the film being granted certification by the end of the week.”
Today, Trehan and Screwvala are slated to meet with the CBFC to appeal these suggested modifications. There is a sense of urgency as the filmmakers attempt to reach a middle ground that allows the film to retain its integrity while still obtaining the necessary certification for release.
The biopic also features Arjun Rampal and Suvinder Vicky in prominent roles. Its journey to release has been fraught with difficulties since it was first screened for the CBFC in 2022. The path hasn’t been smooth, leading to numerous revisions and even a court case. Ronnie Screwvala had earlier challenged the CBFC’s decision in court when they initially recommended 22 cuts. Eventually, both parties sought an out-of-court settlement.
“In an earlier meeting, the Revising Committee asked the filmmakers to modify a line where the protagonist mentions that over 25,000 people were killed in Punjab. They suggested that this number be reduced. Honey and Ronnie opposed it, asserting that all figures and events depicted were based on real-life testimonies and official court judgments from the 1990s,” the source added.
Mid-day reached out to Prasoon Joshi and Rajendra Singh, the CEO of CBFC, for comments, but neither responded by the article’s deadline. Both Honey Trehan and Ronnie Screwvala were also unavailable for statements as the tension surrounding the film’s fate continues to escalate.
The film industry and audiences await the outcome of today’s crucial meeting, which will determine the future of “Punjab ’95.” The cinematographic portrayal of Jaswant Singh Khalra’s life stands at a crossroads, with artistic integrity on one side and stringent certification demands on the other. The final decision by the CBFC will not only impact this film but also set a precedent for future biographical narratives in Indian cinema.
