Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming film 'Punjab-95' has been surrounded by controversies for a long time. Diljit is going to play the role of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra in the film. The Censor Board had demanded 85 cuts in the film due to the sensitive issue, however the revised committee has now ordered 120 cuts instead of 85. Now Jaswant Singh Khalra's wife has expressed her opposition against the cuts being made in the film.
A statement issued by Jaswant Singh Khalra's wife Paramjit Kaur Khalra said, 'We appeal to the CBFC not to change the historical facts shown in the film in the name of censorship. We also appeal to the producers to stand by the truth of Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalar and the story of the film.'
'The Khalra family stands by its promise that we have the legal right to watch the film and give our consent for it to be released on screen or online. As “Punjab 95” shows the facts related to the sensitive history of Punjab. So we request Shri Akal Takht Sahib and Shiromani Gurdwara Committee to watch the film and give their message. We made this film based on legal facts by the film director and with the role of Khalra played by Diljit Dosanjh. I hope the film will be released in its original form.'
Statement issued by the family.
There will be major changes in the film According to a recent report by Mid-Day, the new committee of the Censor Board has ordered the filmmakers to change all the scenes in the film where Punjab and its district Tarn Taran Sahib are mentioned.
It has also demanded the removal of references to Canada and the UK shown in the film.
The title of the film is 'Punjab 95'. Jaswant Singh Khalra went missing in 1995, so the Censor Board Committee demanded that the title be changed. It can hurt people's sentiments.
The committee demanded that the name of the film's main character, Jaswant Singh Khalra, should also be changed. Gurbani scene should also be removed from the film.
Movie poster.
Filmmakers object to the changes Notably, filmmakers have objected to the changes suggested by the Censor Board. He says that Satwant Singh Khalra was a respected person of Punjab, on whom the film is made. In such a situation it would be wrong to remove his name from the film. Notably, Diljit Dosanjh is in the lead role in the film 'Punjab 95'. The film is produced by Ronnie Screwvala and directed by Honey Trehan.
When the film approached the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) for certification, the board ordered 85 cuts in the film. After this, the producers sought freedom of speech and reconsidered. The Censor Board formed a new committee on the demand of the filmmakers, however the new committee ordered 35 more cuts in it.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
