Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh and Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal have teamed up in what is being called a 'sensitive movie' tentatively titled Ghallughara. Diljit Dosanjh who was mentioned by US Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken during his address on PM Modi's State visit has been one of the most widely followed Punjabi actors. However, Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming movie is facing trouble from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) which has suggested a massive 21-cuts in his movie and even given it an 'A' certificate. As a result, the makers have filed an appeal before the Bombay HC under section 5C of the Cinematograph Act, wherein they have challenged the cuts demanded on the film on the grounds of violation of the Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution of India. The next hearing will take place on July 14, 2023. For those who are unaware, Diljit Dosanjh's upcoming movie is based on Sikh activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who was reportedly tortured & murdered in 1995 by none other than Punjab Police. Now, the question arises who was Jaswant Singh Khalra, and why Diljit's upcoming movie has brought Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Films and CBFC face to face in a legal battle? To know the answer continue reading-
Who was Jaswant Singh Khalra?
Jaswant Singh Khalra was a Sikh human rights activist who got global recognition for his research concerning 25,000 illegal killings and cremations involving the Punjab police, and that the police had even killed about 2,000 police officers who refused to cooperate. As per the information available, Jaswant Singh Khalra was the director of a bank in Amritsar, Punjab when the militancy was at its peak in the State. After the infamous Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots, the Police were given the power to detain any person they suspect to be involved in militancy or terrorist activity. During that period, the Police were accused of killing unarmed suspects in allegedly staged shootouts and burning thousands of bodies in order to cover up the murders. Khalra was investigating four similar cases and was collecting evidence against the Police.
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However, 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 Sutlej river. He had disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1995.
In the Jaswant Singh Khalra murder case, four policemen were given life imprisonment. The police officers who were given life imprisonment- Satnam Singh, Surinder Pal Singh, Jasbir Singh (all Sub Inspectors), and Prithipal Singh (Head Constable). Furthermore, a Patiala court in 2005 sent Jaspal Singh, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to life imprisonment in this case.
Coming back to Diljit, he is portraying the character of Khalra in the upcoming movie. Apart from this, Diljit also has Imtiaz Ali’s Chamkila in the pipeline. The film also stars Parineeti Chopra. As per reports, Chamkila tells the untold true story of Amar Singh Chamkila, the legendary rockstar from Punjab who rose to fame in the 1980s with his powerful music.