Diljit’s Punjab-95 Won’t Release in India: CBFC’s 120-Cut Demand Sparks Controversy

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming film Punjab-95 which is based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra will not be released in India. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had requested the filmmakers to make 120 cuts to certain scenes but the producers and the director refused to comply. As a result, the film will not be shown in India and even the teaser has been removed from YouTube.

The CBFC's demand for cuts led to a disagreement with the filmmakers who along with Khalra’s family did not agree to make the alterations. Diljit Dosanjh shared a post on social media saying, "Full movie, no cuts" which indicates that the film will be released without any modifications in foreign markets. The film is set to release on February 7 in countries including Australia, UK, Canada and The United States.

Jaswant Singh Khalra was a well-known human rights activist who spoke out against the injustices faced by Sikhs in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s. He revealed that thousands of Sikh youths had been illegally detained and killed in fake encounters and that their bodies were secretly cremated. Khalra’s revelations attracted international condemnation towards India.