Censorship – The Arts

More than two years after completion, Punjab 95, starring Diljit Dosanjh as human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, remains unreleased, trapped in a cycle of delays and censorship. Despite being privately screened at Cannes for a small group of Indian and international journalists, the film’s official release date is still nowhere in sight.

Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies, the film was initially slated to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023. But Indian authorities intervened, prompting the filmmakers to withdraw. Since then, Punjab 95 has faced an uphill battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), resulting in a staggering 127 demanded cuts.