Diljit Dosanjh's Panjab 95 Faces CBFC Challenges Amid Rising Anticipation
Panjab 95: A Film Steeped in Controversy
Diljit Dosanjh's long-awaited film, Panjab 95, is back in the spotlight, this time due to a striking new poster featuring his character in a precarious situation with his hands bound. Directed by Honey Trehan, the film tells the poignant story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights advocate who brought to light the unlawful cremations of numerous individuals in Punjab during the tumultuous 1980s and 90s.
As excitement builds with each update from Dosanjh, the film's release has been stalled since December 2022, primarily due to concerns raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The board has requested a staggering 127 edits, which Trehan argues would fundamentally alter the film's core message, leaving only a shell of the original trailer.
Check out the poster:
In an interview, Trehan expressed his frustration over the CBFC's demands, particularly the request to remove 'Punjab' from the film's title and to avoid mentioning Indira Gandhi, despite the film's deep ties to Punjab's political landscape. He questioned the rationale behind such requests, stating, "The narrative is rooted in Punjab. Why would anyone suggest removing 'Punjab' from the title? The police depicted are Punjabi, yet they want me to refer to them simply as 'Police.' It makes no sense."
He further remarked, "They also insisted on not mentioning Indira Gandhi. What should I call her then? There’s a film titled Emergency that covers her entire life, yet I can’t even have a character mention her name? Why this bias?"
Despite these challenges, Trehan emphasized that Panjab 95 is not intended as a political critique but rather a historical account focused on human rights and truth. "I've been patient for two and a half years. If artistic expression is stifled, where is the democracy? I am at a loss for words. This is the current state of affairs, and beyond a certain point, it’s out of anyone's hands," he stated.
Recently, Diljit Dosanjh faced backlash following the release of the trailer for Sardaar Ji 3, primarily due to his collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. This led to calls from netizens and film organizations to ban his future projects in India. The film's release was limited to international markets due to the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following the Pahalgam attack.
On the professional front, Diljit is also preparing for his upcoming project, Border 2, which features a star-studded cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty, along with Suniel Shetty, Rashmika Mandanna, Sonam Bajwa, Vinali Bhatnagar, Paramvir Cheema, Nishan Singh, Guneet Sandhu, Mouni Roy, and Sai Dibyajyoti Behera.