Punjabi singer & actor Diljit Dosanjh on late Friday night launched the official teaser of his much-awaited movie Panjab '95 on social media. However, what came as a twist for his millions of fans in India was that Diljit announced the 'international only' release date of Panjab '95 and did not mention anything about when it will stream in India. Diljit further outlined that Panjab '95 will be released outside India on February 7, 2025, without any cuts. Last year it was reported that India's Censor Board CBFC allegedly asked the makers to make at least 120 cuts.
In the meanwhile, Panjab '95 Teaser has been withheld in India. Notably, Panjab '95 teaser has been withheld on YouTube in India not by the government of India but by the makers themselves. If you will visit the YouTube page of White Hill House searching Panjab '95 teaser, a black screen will appear. The black screen mentions, "Video Unavailable..The uploader has not made this video available in your country."
Interestingly, the makers withheld the teaser in India hours after releasing it for the entire country. In fact, Indians could also watch the teaser for many hours after its release. Notably, Diljit has also shared Panjab '95 teaser on his social media handles and that can still be watched even in India.
(PC: YouTube)
Diljit has not announced the release date of Panjab '95 in India as of now. Notably, Diljit and the makers' decision to release the uncut version of the movie comes amid reports that India's Censor Board CBFC proposed 120 cuts in the movie. However, the makers may also head opt for streaming platforms for Indian viewers.
Therefore, Diljit may release the edited version of Panjab '95 in India separately. The makers and even the Punjabi singer have not confirmed whether Panjab '95 will be released in India or not. As of now (while writing), Panjab '95 release date in India has not been announced. Panjab '95 is a true story based on Sikh Rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra.
Who was Jaswant Singh Khalra?
Jaswant Singh Khalra was the director of a bank in the city of Amritsar in Punjab during the militancy period in Punjab. Following Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots, the police were empowered to detain suspects for any reason, ostensibly as suspected terrorists.
The police were accused of killing unarmed suspects in staged shootouts and burning thousands of dead bodies to cover up the murders. Khalra was investigating four major cases at one time and continued to collect evidence and witnesses.
In September 1995, Khalra was last seen in front of his house washing his car in Amritsar when he was reportedly abducted. As per official reports, Khalra was tortured at Jhabal police station and shot dead there and his body was disposed of near the Harike Bridge on the Sutlej River. He had disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1995.
In the Jaswant Singh Khalra murder case, four policemen were given life imprisonment.