Kunal Kamra calls out CBFC after Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj is taken down: ‘Jaswant Singh Khalra abducted again’
Kunal Kamra has added his voice to the growing controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj, questioning the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after the film
Kunal Kamra has added his voice to the growing controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj, questioning the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after the film disappeared from streaming platform ZEE5 less than two days after its release. His strongly worded post has reignited debate over censorship, artistic freedom and the prolonged struggle faced by the makers to release the film. The Honey Trehan-directed film, originally titled Punjab '95, is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab during the insurgency years. Khalra was abducted in 1995 and never seen again. In 2005, four Punjab Police personnel were convicted for his abduction and murder and sentenced to seven years in prison. The Punjab and Haryana High Court later enhanced their sentence to life imprisonment. Reacting to the film's removal from ZEE5, Kamra tagged former CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi on X and questioned why the censor board had recommended 127 cuts for Punjab '95. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What happened to the film Satluj on ZEE5? ⌵ Satluj was removed from ZEE5 just two days after its release, with the platform stating it would be unavailable in India until further notice due to unspecified 'current developments.' 2 Why was Satluj controversial and taken down shortly after its release? ⌵ The film faced censorship issues, including a requirement for 127 cuts by the CBFC, and its removal has been attributed to political reasons amidst ongoing discussions about artistic freedom and censorship. 3 Who is Jaswant Singh Khalra and why is he significant in the film Satluj?
⌵ Jaswant Singh Khalra was a human rights activist who exposed alleged illegal cremations of many unidentified bodies during the Punjab insurgency and was abducted in 1995, which is central to the film's narrative. 4 How did Kunal Kamra react to the censorship of Satluj? ⌵ Kunal Kamra criticized the CBFC on social media, questioning the rationale behind the cuts and condemning the film's removal, linking it to broader issues of artistic freedom and censorship. 5 What commitment has ZEE5 made regarding the film Satluj after its removal? ⌵ ZEE5 has expressed its commitment to exploring all possible avenues to bring Satluj back to its platform and has urged viewers not to support piracy while supporting the filmmakers' creative vision. Also Read | Princess Kate reunites with family after completing Three Peaks challenge – See "Can you please enlighten us on why 127 cuts were recommended for the film Panjab '95?" he wrote. Kamra pointed out that the same film, retitled Satluj, was removed from an OTT platform within two days despite the CBFC having no jurisdiction over streaming platforms or international releases. He said the film tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, "a man who exposed documented human rights abuses and paid for it with his life", adding that if a film based on documented facts cannot be viewed by Indian audiences, "the public deserves to know why." The comedian further argued that the episode sends a discouraging message to filmmakers attempting to tell stories about "a great personality from a minority community", while also questioning the apparent inconsistency in the treatment of different films.
The BriefWire