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TORONTO: Honey Trehan’s film Punjab ’95, which is based on Punjab human right activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and stars Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role, will have its world premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The film revolves around the work of Khalra who highlighted disappearances of young men and their deaths in alleged police encounters at the height of Khalistan militancy in Punjab. Khalra himself disappeared in 1995 and later four cops were given life term for his disappearance.
Produced by Ronnie Screwala, Honey Trehan and Abhishek Chaubey, the film will have its premiere on September 11 at the festival which runs from September 7 to 17.
The film also features Arjun Rampal and Suvinder Vicky.
Reacting to the news, Diljit tweeted, “Waheguruji ka Khalsa, Waheguruji ki Fateh! World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival Presenting the first look of Punjab ‘95, a compelling story based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra Ji.”
Arjun Rampal tweeted, “A very proud moment for us. Can’t wait for everyone to see it. World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival! Presenting the first look of Punjab ‘95, a compelling story based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra.”
Previously titled ‘Ghallughara’ (a term which refers to two pogroms of Sikhs in Punjab by Afghan invader Ahmad Shah Abdali in 1746 and 1762), the film has run into problems with the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) which insisted on 21 cuts to controversial dialogues and gave it an ‘A’ certificate.
Punjab ’95 is among 60 films whose galas and premieres were announced by TIFF on Monday.
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