Kaur urged the CBFC to refrain from excessive censorship that alters historical realities.

Punjab '95 Movie Real Story: Paramjit Kaur Khalra, the wife of the late Sikh human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, has publicly condemned the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) demand for 120 cuts to 'Punjab 95', a biopic based on her husband’s life and work. In her statement, she expressed deep disappointment over the CBFC's decision to alter key elements of the film, which she believes dishonors both her husband's legacy and the history of Punjab.

Paramjit Kaur revealed that over three years ago, her family had read the script of the film and granted permission to director Honey Trehan to make the movie, with actor Diljit Dosanjh portraying Jaswant Singh Khalra. After watching the completed film last year, the Khalra family was satisfied with its respectful and accurate depiction of the activist’s struggle for human rights during a critical period in Punjab’s history. According to Kaur, the film was thoroughly researched and aligned with official records and court documents, preserving Khalra's fight for justice with integrity.

However, the CBFC's demand for extensive cuts—including the removal of Khalra’s name, references to Gurbani, and crucial details about extrajudicial killings—has raised serious concerns for the family. Kaur pointed out that the events depicted in the film are already part of public records and court rulings, including judgments from the Indian Supreme Court and reports by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). She questioned why the CBFC would attempt to change these established facts, calling it an affront not only to her husband’s memory but also to the Sikh and Punjabi communities worldwide.

The film, 'Punjab 95', which was selected for screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, was eventually withdrawn due to ongoing legal battles between the producers, RSVP, and the CBFC. Kaur expressed frustration over the prolonged delay, noting that the producers had attempted to comply with the CBFC’s demands, but the list of cuts continued to grow.

In her appeal, Kaur urged the CBFC to refrain from excessive censorship that alters historical realities. She also called on the film’s producers to stay true to the original integrity of the film and the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra. Furthermore, she requested that members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht Sahib review the film to provide their insights before its release.

The Khalra family reaffirmed their legal right to review the final cut of the film before it is released in theaters or on OTT platforms, and expressed their continued support for the director’s vision and Diljit Dosanjh’s portrayal of Jaswant Singh Khalra. They remain hopeful that the issue will be resolved swiftly and that the film will be released in its original form, preserving the legacy of a man who fought tirelessly for justice.