NEW DELHI: A film depicting one of Punjab’s most controversial periods has sparked debate in India, with community screenings drawing large crowds after it was removed from online platforms within 48 hours of its release.
Satluj, formerly titled Punjab ’95, is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who documented extrajudicial killings and secret cremations in Punjab during the militancy period.
Satluj, directed by Honey Trehan, tells the story of rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the separatist movement in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s. Khalra was abducted and killed in 1995.
The film has attracted audiences at Sikh temples, community halls and village squares across Punjab, with organisers saying demand for screenings continues to grow.
Many viewers described the film as an effort to preserve the memory of one of the state’s darkest chapters, while supporters said the controversy had increased public interest in the production.
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Trehan defended the film, saying it reflected historical evidence, including public speeches by Khalra about disappearances during the conflict.
Punjab witnessed years of violence during the freedom movement, which claimed the lives of civilians.
The period also included the 1984 military operation at the Golden Temple, the assassination of then-prime minister Indira Gandhi and the subsequent anti-Sikh riots.
Supporters say the debate surrounding Satluj has only broadened its reach, with community screenings continuing across Punjab despite the controversy.
