Censored before release: Diljit stands by Punjab 95 amid Sardaar Ji 3 backlash
Diljit Dosanjh has begun the promotions for 'Sardaar Ji 3' despite the backlash that he's been facing in India for working with Pakistani actor Hania Amir in the film. Unfazed by the criticism, the actor also expressed his strong stance against the censor board for demanding a staggering 127 cuts in his other film - 'Punjab 95'. Dosanjh on Tuesday shared a damning note written by filmmaker Sunayana Suresh detailing the entire issue - the problems with the cuts suggested by the board, and what the film really stands for in the current political and social fabric of the nation. advertisementTitled, 'Censored before release?', the note mentioned Suresh reviewing 'Punjab 95' and appreciating Dosanjh's 'powerfully restrained performance'.
It said, "I recently had the chance to watch Punjab 95, the much-discussed film directed by Honey Trehan and led by powerfully restrained performance from Diljit Dosanjh. The film has lingered with me deeply - not just because of its storytelling, but because of the chilling parallels it shares with the real-life struggles of its protagonist, Jaswant Singh Khalra. Ironically, much like Khalra's battle for truth in the mid-90s, the film about his life now finds itself fighting a similar uphill battle - for the right to be seen (sic)." 'Punjab 95', a film directed by Honey Trehan, is based on a real-life incident, and Suresh described the film as "a haunting depiction of systemic brutality - and the cost of speaking truth to power (sic)." She also highlighted in her note the cuts and suggestions that the board has recommended before issuing the certificate for release. advertisement"But in an ironic twist, the film itself is being silenced. The CBFC has reportedly demanded a staggering 127 cuts for it to be approved. These include removing the names of political figures, real locations, references to documented human rights abuses, and even factual historical context. Essentially, the board is asking the filmmakers to erase the very backbone of the story (sic)," the note further read. While Trehan is still awaiting the board's approval without the cuts, Dosanjh has also put his foot down by refusing to accept the kind of treatment the film has received from the board. "Their stance is not just artistic - it's political. It raises a larger, unsettling question: if India prides itself as the world's largest democracy, why must a film like Punjab 95 fight so hard to exist? (sic)," the note said, explaining why Dosanjh and Trehan do not approve of the board's decision. "We aren't just suppressing art - we are burying history (sic)," another part of the note said, condemning the censor board's recommendation, adding that the true purpose of cinema is to ask uncomfortable questions and the board is trying to silence the same voice by not allowing the film to release. advertisementRead the entire note here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunayana Suresh (@sunayanasuresh)In 'Punjab 95', Diljit Dosnjh plays the role of a real-life human activist, Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who investigated the mass cremations and extrajudicial killings of Sikhs in Punjab during the insurgency period in the 1980s and 90s. He was abducted and allegedly murdered in police custody in 1995. Earlier in 2023, the film was scheduled for a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, but was pulled out at the last minute without any prior information to the makers. It is produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Movies. - EndsTrending Reel
IN THIS STORY#Diljit Singh Dosanjh
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