Diljit Dosanjh‘s biographical drama Punjab ’95 has entered its third year without clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification, but now a retired judge has stepped in with a powerful appeal. Justice Ranjit Singh, a former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge and human rights activist, has urged the censor board to release the film without any cuts.
The appeal from the respected legal figure adds significant weight to the ongoing battle for the film’s release. Justice Singh’s statement comes at a critical time when the movie has been stuck in limbo despite being completed years ago.
Justice Ranjit Singh Says Film Is Based On Facts
Justice Ranjit Singh, recently appointed chairman of the reconstituted Punjab Human Rights Organisation, made a strong case for the film’s uncut release. He stated that the movie’s depiction of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra’s custodial killing is based on documented evidence and judicial findings. According to him, the content is neither speculative nor exaggerated.
“The film is very close to reality. It depicts a sequence of events that was not merely an allegation, but something that was clearly established through evidence. These are facts that required to be told. I see no objection to any part of the film. What it shows is real and supported by material already on record. In my view, Punjab ’95 must be released without any cuts,” Justice Singh said.
The Film’s Three Year Battle With CBFC
Directed by Honey Trehan, Punjab ’95 chronicles Khalra’s investigations into illegal cremations and enforced disappearances during Punjab’s counter insurgency period of the 1990s. The film was submitted to the CBFC for certification in December 2022, but no certification or release date has been issued since then.
According to reports, the CBFC suggested nearly 127 cuts to the film. The makers have refused to make these edits, stating they would rather remove their names from the credits than alter the film. An overseas release was announced for January 2025 but was cancelled just days before the scheduled release.
Will The Appeal Make A Difference
Whether Justice Ranjit Singh’s powerful statement will sway the CBFC remains to be seen. The censor board chairperson Prasoon Joshi was unavailable for comment when approached by the source publication. The film’s fate continues to hang in the balance as it enters another year without resolution.
The movie features Diljit Dosanjh as Jaswant Singh Khalra and has been completed for several years now. Fans and supporters of the project are hoping that this latest appeal from a respected voice in the legal community will finally push the film toward release.
About Punjab ’95
Punjab ’95 is a biographical drama directed by Honey Trehan and produced by RSVP. The film stars Diljit Dosanjh as human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and depicts his investigations into enforced disappearances during the 1990s. More official announcements about the film’s release date are awaited.
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