Punjabi singer & actor Diljit Dosanjh's much-awaited movie Panjab '95 has not been able to release in India as well as abroad. While the tussle between the filmmakers and CBFC over 120 cuts is a well-known fact, fans around the world are still puzzled what is the latest Panjab '95 Update. Directed by filmmaker Honey Trehan, Panjab '95 was supposed to be released for a global audience and not in India. In fact, Diljit Dosanjh had even shared the movie's teaser on his social media platforms. However, a day after that, Diljit announced that Panjab '95 will not be released even for an international audience. Now, the question arises why? Panjab '95 Director Honey Trehan recently in an interview spilled the beans and outlined how higher authorities have forced them to not release the movie.
Panjab '95 new update
Speaking to BBC Punjabi, Honey Trehan said, "I have been brought up in Punjab. I belong to Tarn Taran. Stories of Shiv Kumar Batalvi or Khalra Saheb (Jaswant Singh Khalra), will always be part of Punjab. Growing up, I heard a lot about Jaswant Singh Khalra and I also read about Shiv Kumar Batalvi. They have inspired people a lot. Working on their stories feels like that connects me with myself. So, people like Jaswant Singh Khalra, Shiv Kumar Batalvi, and Major DP Singh all are inspiring personalities of Punjab."
Why is Panjab '95 not released?
Talking about it, Honey Trehan said, "Earlier, its name (Panjab '95) was Ghallughara, then it was changed to Panjab' 95. We were forced to do that. I also want to know why it is not getting released. The entire movie was made with the help of available legal documents. Every scene showcased in Panjab 95 has a supporting document. The documents are from the CBI, Session Court, Punjab & Haryana High Court, and Supreme Court. Whatever the verdict the Supreme Court gave, we have made a film on that. The research was done under a legal process. We spent a lot of time with Dr. Rajvinder Singh Bains (Senior Advocate) and collected all the legal documents. The film is based on reality. Even I don't know why is there so much controversy around it. It has become a one sided struggle because the actual issue is not coming out."
'Brainless cuts suggested by CBFC' says Honey Trehan
Notably, Honey Trehan revealed that the CBFC watched the movie 7 times. "At first the CBFC suggested only 1 cut. We accepted it. But with time a total 120 cuts were suggested which does not make any sense to me because those are brainless cuts. I cannot remove Jaswant Singh Khalra sir's name from his biopic. It is like a crime. It cannot be accepted. I don't know what is the issue and why arent they coming forward and saying this is the issue. If the problem is legitimate, then I am totally fine to accept it. I follow the law. Anybody has problem, I am ready to fight in the court of law. But, they are not even letting us go to the court," said Honey Trehan.
On releasing abroad and not India
Honey Trehan further added, "I was also excited for its release abroad. Everything was final. Even Diljit shared a teaser of it. But, after that, the Producer got a call from somewhere and then he said that it could not be released abroad. As a result, the film was again halted from being released. I feel like, we don't need any certificate to release the movie internationally. But, stopping the movie's release even internationally is not right. We don't even know who is doing it. Many CBFC members appreciated us for making the movie but informed us that their hands were tied. There must be someone at a higher position who is abusing their post."
For the unversed, Ronnie Screwvala has produced the Diljit Dosanjh starrer movie Panjab' 95.