The family of slain human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra has finally spoken out following the OTT release of the long-delayed film Satluj (earlier titled Punjab 95), with his wife Paramjit Kaur Khalra saying the version that has been released is the same original cut they had approved years ago and that its “spirit and truth” remain fully intact.
In a statement shared on X, Paramjit Kaur Khalra clarified that the Khalra family has officially approved the film now streaming on Zee5, putting an end to years of speculation about whether the project had been heavily altered. She said the film being released is identical to the version first shown to the family, despite what she described as years of pressure and attempts to change its content.
The film, directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh in the role of Jaswant Singh Khalra, finally premiered on OTT after a long and difficult journey marked by certification delays and creative disputes. The project had remained in limbo for nearly three years, even after being selected for international festivals, as it faced repeated challenges from certification authorities over its content and portrayal of sensitive historical events.
Paramjit Kaur Khalra said the family is reassured that the film has preserved its original intent and emotional truth. She also praised the makers for standing firm on the creative vision despite pressure to make major alterations. According to earlier accounts from the filmmaker, the Central Board of Film Certification had reportedly suggested extensive cuts that would have removed key references to Khalra, the Punjab Police, real locations, and scenes depicting custodial violence, which the director opposed.
The film, completed in 2022, had a runtime of around 163 minutes and was even selected for the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 before being withdrawn due to certification issues. Over time, however, private screenings of the original version were held for select audiences, keeping the film’s core intact but away from commercial release.
With the OTT release now complete, both the director and lead actor have maintained that the film has reached audiences without any meaningful cuts, apart from a change in title. Diljit Dosanjh also stated during a social media interaction that he would not have supported the release if the original version had been altered.
Jaswant Singh Khalra, whose life the film is based on, was a human rights activist who exposed alleged illegal cremations and enforced disappearances in Punjab during the 1990s. He was abducted in 1995 and later killed, a case that led to the conviction of several Punjab Police personnel and continues to be a significant reference point in discussions on human rights and justice in India.
For Paramjit Kaur Khalra, the release of Satluj represents not just the completion of a long-delayed film but also a tribute to her husband’s legacy. She has long maintained that the story should be told without dilution, and continues to advocate for justice, accountability, and the preservation of historical truth through her public work and activism.
