Diljit Dosanjh-starrer ‘Satluj’, earlier titled ‘Punjab ’95’, was pulled from OTT within 48 hours of streaming on the platform last Friday. Reacting to this, standup comedian Kunal Kamra penned an open letter to CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi, taking issue with both the original objections raised against the film and its later removal from OTT. The film had faced censorship hurdles for more than three years while trying to secure a theatrical release, but it ultimately never released in cinemas.
Kunal Kamra questions CBFC’s jurisdiction over OTT
Reacting to the film being taken off the OTT platform, Kamra posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Can you please enlighten us on why 127 cuts were recommended for the film Punjab ’95? The same film, now renamed Satluj, has been taken down from an OTT platform in less than two days. The CBFC has no jurisdiction over OTT platforms or international releases. Punjab ’95 tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a man who exposed documented human rights abuses and paid for it with his life. If a film based on documented facts cannot be seen by Indian audiences, then the public deserves to know why. This sends a very direct message to filmmakers and production companies: if you’re paying homage to a great personality from a minority community, you’ll have to face the CBFC”.
Kunal Kamra slams censor board’s double standards
Kamra called out the censor board for its inconsistent approach, urging journalists to put “some hard questions” to the authorities on why some politically sensitive films get cleared without trouble while others are stuck in delays for years. He also took aim at the board’s power over filmmakers, questioning what it feels like to “feast on four years of a director’s career. Journalists should be asking the people running this censor board some hard questions. Why are some politically insensitive films able to pass with ease while others spend years in limbo? A red carpet for Kashmir Files, Bengal Files, and Kerala Story. Roses for Dhurandar 1 & 2, a fictional documentary/explainer for the unthinkable and the unexplainable. How does it feel to feast on four years of a director’s career?.”
Kunal Kamra invokes Jaswant Singh Khalra’s name
He wrapped up his note by drawing a contrast between the present situation and past legal and democratic norms. He ended his letter with, “In Nehru’s India, this would have been litigated in court. If filmmakers cannot tell the stories of people who stood up for justice without years of obstruction, what kind of cinema are we encouraging them to make? Jaswant Singh Khalra Abducted again, This time by the CBFC.”
About ‘Satluj’
Helmed by Honey Trehan, ‘Satluj’ tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, played by Diljit Dosanjh, who began investigating cases of alleged illegal executions and secret cremations in Punjab.
