Diljit's 'Satluj' Out Now — Khalra Family All Smiles

Punjabi actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Punjab 95', which had been mired in controversy for a long time, has now been released on OTT platform ZEE5 under the title 'Sutlej'. The film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. It has been directed by Honey Trehan and produced by RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures.When the film was sent to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for approval in 2023, the board objected to the title and suggested several changes and cuts. Following this, the film's name was changed to 'Punjab 95'. The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, where its story and Diljit Dosanjh's performance received international acclaim.

According to media reports, the CBFC had suggested 127 cuts and several changes to the film. These included changes to certain historical references, locations, and character names. However, the CBFC did not release detailed official information about all these suggested changes to the public. Due to the lack of censor clearance in the country, the film could not be released in Indian theaters.

It was released in select countries on February 7, 2025. The Khalra family expressed happiness over the release of 'Sutlej'. Expressing joy over the film's release, Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of martyr Jaswant Singh Khalra, said she was glad that the film based on her husband's life, struggle, and legal battle was finally reaching audiences through the OTT medium after facing years of political conspiracies and numerous challenges.

She said that as the Khalra family, they wanted to make clear that they approved of the version of the film being released on OTT — that it is the original version first shown to their family. She expressed happiness that despite significant pressure and attempts to make changes, its original spirit and truth had been preserved.
Jaswant Singh Khalra's entire life was a symbol of fearless struggle for truth, justice, and the protection of human rights. She said it was therefore very important to them that his story and the events of the Sikh massacre be presented without any compromise, without any distortion, and with complete honesty. Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra thanked director Honey Trehan wholeheartedly, saying that by staying firm in his principles, he did not compromise on the artistic and historical truth of the film, and also presented with full honesty the painful reality of over 25,000 unclaimed bodies and the legal battle Jaswant Singh Khalra fought to bring the truth of the Sikh struggle before the world.

She said his dedication to preserving the true spirit of this important part of history deserves their respect, and expressed hope that the film would serve as a tribute to the legacy of martyr Jaswant Singh Khalra and inspire audiences worldwide to reflect on and embrace the enduring values of truth, justice, accountability, and human dignity.

Jaswant Singh Khalra was a courageous and dedicated human rights activist who raised his voice against the atrocities and human rights violations committed against Sikhs in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s. During that period, thousands of young Sikh men were illegally detained and killed in fake encounters, after which their bodies were secretly cremated.