Panjab ’95, the much-anticipated political thriller starring Diljit Dosanjh, has hit yet another roadblock in its India release. The film, based on the life and death of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was originally slated for a global release on February 7. However, on Monday, Dosanjh and the cast announced via Instagram that the film’s release has been postponed indefinitely.
Diljit shared the news on Instagram Stories, stating, “We are sorry, and it pains us to inform you that the movie Panjab ’95 will not release on 7th Feb due to circumstances beyond our control.” He also posted a photo of Khalra with a quote from the activist: “I pray to the Guru, who identified with truth, to keep this light lit.”
Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, the film features a star-studded cast, including Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, Varun Badola, and Geetika Vidya Ohlan. Despite its strong narrative and ensemble, the project has been embroiled in controversies since its inception, particularly with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Title Controversy and Censorship
Initially titled Ghalughara, after the Ghalughara massacre, the film was submitted to the CBFC in 2022. However, the board demanded 120 cuts and a change in the title. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) intervened, leading to the removal of the cuts, but the title was altered to Panjab ’95. The trailer, released the same year, was removed within 24 hours.
In January 2025, a new trailer was shared by Dosanjh, with plans for an uncut international release on February 7. However, the situation remains uncertain for the Indian audience, as no updates regarding its release in the country have been provided.
Political Challenges and Festival Snub
In 2023, Panjab ’95 was set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) but was pulled from the lineup at the last moment. Sources attributed this to “political forces,” as Canada hosts the largest Sikh diaspora outside India. TIFF organisers have neither confirmed nor denied these claims.
Story of a Controversial Icon
The film chronicles the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who exposed alleged fake encounters by Punjab Police during the 1980s and 1990s. Khalra’s investigation into the mass cremation of unidentified bodies led to his mysterious disappearance in 1995. A decade later, four police officers were convicted of his abduction and murder.
With its sensitive subject matter, Panjab ’95 promises an unflinching portrayal of a turbulent chapter in Punjab’s history, but the delays suggest ongoing challenges in bringing this story to the screen.