Dec 19, 2025
In the world’s largest democracy, a hidden data trove and filmmaker testimonies reveal how India’s censorship regime has now evolved from simply cutting...
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In the world’s largest democracy, a hidden data trove and filmmaker testimonies reveal how India’s censorship regime has now evolved from simply cutting...
In the world’s largest democracy, a hidden data trove and filmmaker testimonies reveal how India’s censorship regime has now evolved from simply cutting...
🔥India's Film Censorship Becoming Increasingly Politicized — New Data Breach Exposes Extent of Influence
In the world’s largest democracy, a hidden data trove and filmmaker testimonies reveal how India’s censorship regime has now evolved from simply cutting... read full news
🔥India's Film Censorship Becoming Increasingly Politicized — New Data Breach Exposes Extent of Influence
In the world’s largest democracy, a hidden data trove and filmmaker testimonies reveal how India’s censorship regime has now evolved from simply cutting... read full news
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Punjab '95, starring Diljit Dosanjh, facing demands from the CBFC for 120 cuts, title change, and renaming of human rights campaigner Jaswant Singh Khalra.
The biopic Punjab '95, about human rights campaigner Jaswant Singh Khalra, is entangled in a legal dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film, directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, has been subjected to many rounds of censorship, with the most recent round of requests raising serious issues about free expression and the portrayal of historical events. Originally, the CBFC wanted 85 edits from the movie. However, following a review by the Revising Committee, the number of required revisions has risen to approximately 120.
According to a new story in Mid-day, one of the most contentious demands is the renaming of the protagonist, who is now known as Jaswant Singh Khalra. The CBFC has advised that the character's name be changed to Sutlej, which refers to the river that connects Punjab. The filmmakers have strenuously opposed this alteration, claiming that Khalra is a cherished person in the Sikh community and that renaming him would be disrespectful to his legacy. They have stressed that the film's realism and power stem from its portrayal of Khalra's role in probing the disappearance and killing of Sikh youths during the Punjab insurgency.
In addition to the name modification, the CBFC has demanded that the film be retitled to remove all references to Punjab '95, the year Khalra disappeared. The board has voiced worry that the title may elicit strong emotions and influence public opinion.
Furthermore, the CBFC has sought the removal of a sequence involving the Gurbani, a sacred text in Sikhism. They have also directed the filmmakers to remove any mention of Punjab or the Tarn Taran region. References to Canada and the United Kingdom have been found improper and will be removed.
The producers of Punjab '95 have held a series of discussions with the CBFC to resolve these concerns. They claim that the film is based on true events and testimonials, and that the censorship requests are unreasonable and damage the film's credibility. The film's producers, Ronnie Screwvala and Honey Trehan, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the current censorship process. They have stressed the need of relaying the tale of Jaswant Singh Khalra and the human rights violations committed during the Punjab insurgency.
Set in the turbulent 1990s Amritsar, Punjab '95 follows Jaswant Singh Khalra, a seemingly regular bank clerk and human rights activist who lives a middle-class life with his librarian wife and two small children. His hopes for a peaceful life are dashed when he learns of his friend's mother, Bibi Gurpej,'s abduction. As Khalra dives deeper into the investigation, he discovers a terrible web of secrets, putting himself and his family in jeopardy.
Punjab '95, directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala in partnership with MacGuffin Pictures, stars Arjun Rampal and Surinder Vicky in key roles.
THE BOMBAY High Court on Thursday said creative freedom and the freedom of expression cannot be curtailed and the censor board cannot refuse