Punjab 95: Release Date, Cast and More
The term “Punjab 95” is frequently used in the state of Punjab, especially when considering its historical, political, and social setting during the 1990s. The political developments in the area during that decade, which had a significant effect on the state and its citizens, are most frequently associated with this expression. Let’s take a closer look at what Punjab 95 means, including its historical significance and how it influenced Punjab today.
Punjab 95 Overview
| Movie Name | Punjab 95 |
| Directed by | Honey Trehan |
| Produced by | Ronnie Screwvala |
| Release date | 7 February 2025 |
| Running time | 157 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Edited by | A. Sreekar Prasad |
What is Punjab ’95 about?
The film Punjab 95 tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a Punjabi human rights advocate. Khalra opposed the Punjab Police’s fictitious interactions with Sikh youths during the insurgency. From 1984 to 1994, he also looked into thousands of mysterious bodies in Punjab. He vanished inexplicably in 1995, and ten years later, in 2005, four police officers were taken into custody for his murder. There is a lot of debate surrounding his life and death, which is part of the state’s delicate past, especially about the militancy.
Punjab ’95 was removed from the TIFF
A day before its international premiere at the esteemed Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the film was taken out of consideration. Given that Canada has the second-largest Sikh community in the world, after India, Variety reported political motivations for the Toronto incident. The organization of the film festival, however, did not attempt to corroborate or refute this.
Panjab’ 95 Release Postponed
“We are sorry, and it pains us to inform you that the movie Panjab ’95 will not be released on 7th February due to circumstances beyond our control,” Diljit wrote in a brief post on Instagram Stories late Monday. In one of his other postings, the singer-actor also posted a photo of the late Khalra and a remark from him that said, “I pray to the Guru, who identified with truth, to keep this light lit.” Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, Varun Badola, and Geetika Vidya Ohlan are also featured in Honey Trehan’s Panjab ’95, which was produced by Ronnie Screwvala. Since it was submitted to the CBFC for certification, the movie has been enmeshed in controversy for nearly three years.
Cast
- Diljit Dosanjh as Jaswant Singh Khalra
- Arjun Rampal
- Varun Badola
- Suvinder Vicky
- Geetika Vidya Ohlyan
The change in Title and 120 cuts
After the Ghalughara massacre, Punjab 95 was renamed Ghalughara and submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification in 2022. Nevertheless, the CBFC objected to the title and deleted 120 scenes from the movie. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the highest Sikh religious organization, finally stepped in, and the CBFC agreed to the cutbacks but requested that the title be altered. The movie was eventually retitled Punjab ’95. The trailer for the movie was taken down from YouTube just a day after it was posted there that same year.
Punjab 95 Trailer
Diljit Dosanjh posted the Punjab 95 trailer to Instagram with the message, “On February 7th, Punjab ’95 will be released in theaters worldwide. P.S. The entire film, no cuts. The character played by Arjun Rampal opens the trailer by talking about the political upheaval in Punjab. He asks why Punjab is still suffering by bringing up significant incidents like the 1984 riots, Indira Gandhi’s murder, and Operation Bluestar. The images include protests, flaming cars, and newspaper missing person stories. Security guards are seen shooting at citizens in a terrifying scene. Jaswant Singh Khaira, played by Diljit, accepts the task of looking into these incidents. His research reveals terrible realities, but his pursuit of justice makes the government his adversary.
Conclusion
Punjab 95 explores the tragic tale of Jaswant Singh Khalra during the 1990s, a difficult time in Punjab’s history. Notwithstanding political backlash and restrictions, the movie seeks to illuminate a delicate and important period. When Punjab 95 opens on February 7, 2025, it is sure to strike a chord with viewers everywhere because to its strong cast and gripping story.
