Diljit Dosanjh’s Panjab 95 Postponed Yet Again Due to Uncontrollable Reasons
Updated on: 21 January, 2025 05:19 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar

Still from Panjab 95 Trailer
The release of Diljit Dosanjh’s Panjab 95 has been postponed once more, leaving fans disappointed. The political thriller, based on the life of Sikh activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was set to hit global screens on February 7, 2025. However, on Monday, Diljit and the film’s cast announced on Instagram that the release would be delayed due to “circumstances beyond our control.”
Diljit shared a heartfelt message along with a picture of Khalra, captioning it with one of Khalra’s quotes: “I pray to the Guru, who identified with truth, to keep this light lit.”
The film has faced numerous obstacles since its inception. Originally titled Ghalughara, the project was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022. The CBFC suggested a staggering 120 cuts and raised objections to the title. Following intervention by the apex Sikh religious body, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the cuts were reduced, but the title was still changed to Panjab 95.
Despite these efforts, the film continued to face resistance. Its trailer, launched on YouTube in 2022, was removed within a day. The film promises to provide an "honest" account of Khalra`s life, which has ruffled feathers in political circles. Known for exposing human rights violations during Punjab`s militancy era, Khalra investigated the mass cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies and fought against alleged fake encounters of Sikh youth by the Punjab Police.
Khalra’s disappearance in 1995 remains a dark chapter in Punjab’s history. In 2005, four police officers were arrested for his abduction and murder.
Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh Meets PM Modi, The Singer Calls It A Fantastic Start To 2025
While festival organisers remained silent, sources suggested “political forces at play” behind the decision. The controversy surrounding Panjab 95 is particularly significant, given Canada’s large Sikh population—the second-largest in the world after India.
Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh: There Won’t Be Any More Concerts in India Unless This Happens...
While the postponement has left many disappointed, the film’s powerful subject matter and enduring relevance ensure that anticipation remains high. For now, fans can only hope for a swift resolution to the hurdles and look forward to witnessing the untold story of Jaswant Singh Khalra on the big screen.
Diljit shared a heartfelt message along with a picture of Khalra, captioning it with one of Khalra’s quotes: “I pray to the Guru, who identified with truth, to keep this light lit.”
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Years of Controversy and Censorship Challenges
The film has faced numerous obstacles since its inception. Originally titled Ghalughara, the project was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022. The CBFC suggested a staggering 120 cuts and raised objections to the title. Following intervention by the apex Sikh religious body, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the cuts were reduced, but the title was still changed to Panjab 95.Despite these efforts, the film continued to face resistance. Its trailer, launched on YouTube in 2022, was removed within a day. The film promises to provide an "honest" account of Khalra`s life, which has ruffled feathers in political circles. Known for exposing human rights violations during Punjab`s militancy era, Khalra investigated the mass cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies and fought against alleged fake encounters of Sikh youth by the Punjab Police.
Khalra’s disappearance in 1995 remains a dark chapter in Punjab’s history. In 2005, four police officers were arrested for his abduction and murder.
Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh Meets PM Modi, The Singer Calls It A Fantastic Start To 2025
Global and Festival Setbacks
The film’s global release has also been turbulent. In 2023, it was slated to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), but it was abruptly pulled from the lineup a day before the event.While festival organisers remained silent, sources suggested “political forces at play” behind the decision. The controversy surrounding Panjab 95 is particularly significant, given Canada’s large Sikh population—the second-largest in the world after India.
Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh: There Won’t Be Any More Concerts in India Unless This Happens...
What’s Next for Panjab 95?
Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Panjab 95 boasts a stellar cast, including Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, Varun Badola, and Geetika Vidya Ohlan. In January 2025, Diljit shared a new trailer, assuring fans that the movie would be released internationally without any cuts.While the postponement has left many disappointed, the film’s powerful subject matter and enduring relevance ensure that anticipation remains high. For now, fans can only hope for a swift resolution to the hurdles and look forward to witnessing the untold story of Jaswant Singh Khalra on the big screen.
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