--- title: 'Why Was Sutlej Banned? Punjab 95 Controversy Explained' source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=JJ6S8QedqAw' video_id: 'JJ6S8QedqAw' date: 2026-08-06 duration_sec: 3711 --- # Why Was Sutlej Banned? Punjab 95 Controversy Explained > Source: [Why Was Sutlej Banned? Punjab 95 Controversy Explained](https://youtube.com/watch?v=JJ6S8QedqAw) ## Summary The video discusses the controversial film 'Sutlej' (originally 'Punjab 95'), starring Diljit Dosanjh, which was removed from Zee5 within 48 hours of its release in India. It explores the true story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a bank employee who investigated fake encounters and disappearances in Punjab during the 1990s, leading to his own disappearance. The video also covers the film's censorship battles, the public debate it sparked, and the historical context of the Khalistan insurgency. ### Key Points - **Film Removed from Zee5** [00:03] — The film 'Sutlej' was released on Zee5 on July 3, 2026, and removed from India within 48 hours, but remains available on Zee5 Global abroad. - **Diljit's Foreknowledge** [00:43] — Diljit Dosanjh had jokingly warned viewers to download the film because it might disappear, indicating he anticipated its removal. - **Jaswant Singh Khalra's Disappearance** [01:10] — In 1995, Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted from outside his home in Amritsar in broad daylight and never found, after demanding accountability for thousands of missing people. - **Zee5's Statement** [02:35] — Zee5 issued a statement that 'Sutlej' would not be shown in India due to 'the current situation', without specifying reasons. - **Three Disappearances** [03:06] — The story involves three disappearances: 25,000 missing people, Jaswant Singh Khalra, and the film itself, all for the same reason. - **Film's Censorship Journey** [06:03] — The film was completed in 2022, faced 21 cuts initially, then over 120 cuts, and was renamed thrice: 'Ghallu Ghara' to 'Punjab 95' to 'Sutlej'. - **Family's Approval** [08:31] — Jaswant's wife, Paramjit Kaur Khalra, confirmed the OTT version is the same film she approved, with only the name changed. - **Public Debate** [10:15] — The country is divided: one camp asks why the government is afraid, while the other argues the film presents a one-sided view, ignoring terrorism's impact. - **Opening Scene** [17:05] — The film opens with police casually killing bound men, showing killing as routine duty, setting the tone for the story. - **Jaswant's Character** [21:04] — Jaswant is portrayed as an ordinary bank employee, emphasizing his humanity and relatability. - **Investigation** [25:22] — Jaswant investigates crematorium registers, finding over 2000 'unclaimed' bodies in three crematoriums, leading to estimates of 25,000 missing. - **Evidence and Court** [30:02] — Jaswant presents evidence to court and press, but faces accusations of being a foreign-funded activist. - **Real-Life Officers** [34:31] — The film's characters are based on real officers like SSP Ajit Singh Sandhu (Suga) and DGP KPS Gill (Bitta), who have controversial legacies. - **CM's Assassination** [42:45] — The film depicts the assassination of CM Beant Singh, with critics saying it justifies the killing, while the film defends it as showing the atmosphere. - **Jaswant's Abduction** [47:26] — On December 6, 1995, Jaswant was abducted and disappeared, similar to the 25,000 he sought justice for. - **Justice and Aftermath** [53:53] — Six junior police officers were sentenced to life imprisonment for Khalra's kidnapping and murder, but higher-ups were never held accountable. - **Meaning of Sutlej** [55:23] — The film is named after the Sutlej river, where bodies were thrown, symbolizing the last witness of the uncremated dead. - **Critical Acclaim** [58:20] — Critics gave the film 4+ stars, praising Diljit's performance as his career best, and the Khalra family endorsed it as the truth. ### Conclusion The video concludes that the film 'Sutlej' tells a suppressed truth, and its removal has sparked a nationwide debate about censorship and historical accountability. It urges viewers to challenge the darkness and share the story, emphasizing that truth cannot be silenced. ## Transcript released. 1995 Punjab. The very next day the hero of that film comes live on Instagram. If you haven't seen it then there is no problem. Many people have downloaded the movie. I told him Monday it might be deleted when people laugh at that time and think it's a joke. But before Monday arrives, the film disappears from India on Sunday evening. film disappears from India on Sunday evening. watching the film when the screen went black midway. Just imagine, while listening to the story, it seems as if someone has snatched the book from you in the middle. What that hero said turned out to be true. that hero said turned out to be true. knew in advance that his film would be removed and to know the answer to this question and to know the answer to this question you will have to go back 31 years. On a you will have to go back 31 years. On a morning where it all began. On Kabir Park area of ​​Amritsar, a man was standing outside his house washing his car. It was a very ordinary day. The sun was out. Children were playing in the street. Then some vehicles come and stop. Some people get down and the man is made to disappear forever from in front of his own house in broad daylight. man is made to disappear forever from in front of his own house in broad daylight. 31 years have passed but his body has never been found and the man's only fault was that he had demanded the accountability of thousands of missing people. The film that was removed within 48 hours was the story of this man. Name Satluj OTT [nasal sound] any promotion which led to more people watching this film. It was written on social media that it is the most powerful Hindi film of recent years. Zee5 was also praised for showing bravery by releasing this film. Diljit Dosanjh was being talked about as the biggest performance of his career. several days to recover after watching this film. But then on the evening of July 5, Zee5 issued a statement that Sutlej will not be shown in India till the next edition. And the reason for that is just two words: the current situation. Now the question is what circumstances? Whose pressure? ZEE5 did not mention this and surprisingly, the film is still surprisingly, the film is still running smoothly on ZEE5 Global abroad. That means the whole world can watch this film. He just cannot see the country whose story this is. cannot see the country whose story this is. And how is the story? 25,000 people disappeared. 25,000 people missing. Then a man who asked for his account disappeared. And now after 30 years when that man's story comes through a film, that man's story comes through a film, he is first kept hanging for four years. There is talk of making 120 cuts and when it is released somehow, even those are missing. Surprising, isn't it? But it is true. This is the story of three disappearances and the reason for all three is the same. of three disappearances and the reason for all three is the same. Why was he killed? Was this an incident like Jallianwala Bagh? But in Jallianwala Bagh, the killers were the British. British. Who was going to kill them? And today we will answer all these questions. We will tell you the complete story of this film. Those who have not seen the film may be completely aware of this film. We will tell you how much India has changed in 31 years. first part that we will give you information about through this video is where this film was confined for 4 years. through this video is where this film was confined for 4 years. we will hear what the country is saying after being divided into two parts. And then because the film has been removed. We will tell you the entire story of this film. From start to finish so you can decide who was scared by this film ? Why did you feel it? And yes, if possible, please save this video also because if this video also gets because if this video also gets removed in the next 24-48 hours, then we will not be responsible for it. So please share this video. Please save this video because the film has been banned but we are going to tell you the whole story but we are going to tell you the whole story with questions. well so that our relationship becomes stronger and the stories that we stronger and the stories that we create independently and with complete honesty so that the truth is not suppressed, that truth keeps reaching you. It named Sutlej and the story of Sutlej itself will touch your soul. So search Shubhankar on WhatsApp. Please subscribe to us and share this story with all your fans and acquaintances. subscribe to us and share this story with all your fans and acquaintances. Before the story, let us tell you Perhaps the fate of the film Sutlej was what was written in the fate of its hero. battle. Director Honey Trihan completed this film in the year 2022. The same Honey Trihan who made a film like Raat Akeli. The film was funded by Ronnie Screwvala's funded by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures. The RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures. The first name of this film was Ghallu Ghara. It means murders. In the history of Sikhs, this word is used for three major massacres. this word is used for three major massacres. First in 1746, second in 1762 and third in 1984. That means it was clear from the name itself which means it was clear from the name itself which wound the film was going to touch. In the year 2022, this film reached the censor board and from here the imprisonment of this film started. After 6 months the board said to make 21 cuts and change the name of the film. The film makers then change the name of the film. The film makers then changed the name and it became Punjab 95. But he went to the Bombay High Court against the cuts. Meanwhile, the film received an invitation to be screened at the famous Toronto Film Festival, but just a day before the screening, the film was pulled from there. There was talk of political pressure in the news. No one has told the real reason till date. And then there was a flood of cuts. The 21 cuts that were made earlier have now 21 cuts that were made earlier have now crossed 120. She tells good news up to 127 cuts and what else can she ask for, just listen. It was said to change the name of the hero. Remove the name of Punjab Police. Even the scenes with the tricolour should be removed. That means remove this story from this story and then show it. Honey Rihaan said that if we had resolved the objections of one list, the next list would have come. He said that at one point he said that I will remove my name from the film but will not make any cuts. Diljeet also got adamant. Said the film will either be completed or not. Theatrical release announced for early 2025. The date came and went. The film did not release but people assumed that this film would probably never release. And then on July 3, 2026, OTT quietly made its way. The entire 2026, OTT quietly made its way. The entire film was released on Zee5 without cutting a single scene. The price that had to be paid was just for the name. One film, three names. First Gallu Ghara, then Punjab 95 and then the one that was released was named Sutlej. And here's the thing that's the biggest answer to this whole debate. Jaswant Singh Khalra's Jaswant Singh Khalra's wife Paramjit Kaur Khalra herself gave a statement on the day of release. It was said that the release of the film after years of delays was a matter of relief for them and the Khalra family clarified that the version released on OTT is the one approved by the family. Paramjit Kaur saw it herself and confirmed that it was the same film that was shown to her earlier. Only the name has changed. Not a single scene. That is, the story of the woman whose husband was shown in this story. The truth. And what greater testimony to the question could there be ? Now starting with the puzzle which we mentioned in the beginning that how did Diljit Dosanjh know that this film would be removed as soon as it came on OTT. The answer to this is that Diljit did not just live the character. This film also had a lucky break. Diljit Dossa knew that the film whose name was changed thrice. Those who had seen every list, every cut, every postponed date in 4 years knew that the film might not run even for four days after its release. That 's why he had said jokingly that download it, you never know when it will disappear. And his response after the film was removed was also similar. Do n't remove any tension. There is no mistake, people have downloaded it. No, one thing has come, that is not there. Now you think for yourself that the film which the family considered to be true, which lost in every list of censor, why was it not given even two days ? However, the country is divided into two parts regarding the film Sutlej, which was earlier named Punjab 95. As soon as the film was removed, the country was divided into two camps. Listen carefully to both of them because this is the real debate. On one side there are those who are angry and are asking what is the government afraid of? what is the government afraid of? What's there in a film that was removed in two days ? What people can watch abroad, why can't they watch it in India? On whose orders was this removed? Why was legal trouble brought about? Was there any truth in it that should not have been conveyed? People are also raising the question that at the time when this incident took place, there was a Congress government in the country. There was a Congress government in Punjab. Today there is BJP government in the country. Then why is the BJP government so afraid of the scandal that happened during the Congress government? The so afraid of the scandal that happened during the Congress government? The second argument is a bit sharper. He says that when Kashmir Files can run, Kerala Story can run, they can get the gift of tax free. So why could a film based on court papers, based on the pain of Punjab, not last two days? The simple accusation is: are there two standards for films in the country? One gets the stage, the other gets the lock. [Music] The question about Congress is very important because this was Punjab under Congress rule. So this was Punjab under Congress rule. So what is the problem with BJP today? what is the problem with BJP today? Even the reason for removing the film has not been given. And the most heart-touching thing is that many people said that this removal of the film is not just the removal of the film. said that this removal of the film is not just the removal of the film. This is an attack on memories. The This is an attack on memories. The story of a man who disappeared in 1995 and disappeared in 2026. However, there is a camp on social media which was also opposing this film. He said that no decision should be taken without choosing both sides. There is a section which is saying that the wrong. He says that the murder was presented in the film as if it was a response to oppression. That an attempt was made to justify the killing of the Chief Minister. That an attempt was made to justify the killing of the Chief Minister. Many people are making such allegations on social media. He is writing that it has been proved in the court. But the Khalistan connection of the killers was not shown in the film. Those also saying that this film demoralizes the police. He says, remember Punjab was burning during that period. Passengers were being beaten by taking them out of buses and making them stand in a line. Especially in Punjab, Hindus were targeted at that time. There were massacres in trains. Bombs were exploding in the market. Families were being destroyed overnight. Many Punjabi Hindus, Sikhs and Jats were killed in the Khalistani violence. And those who oppose this film say that the negativity with which the police has been shown in this film, do they forget that there were mothers on the other side too who kept waiting, there were children who lost their fathers, pain does children who lost their fathers, pain does not come by looking at the uniform, it does not come by asking about religion, they say that no Sutlej was made for us and especially those who oppose the film Sutlej and especially those who oppose the film Sutlej that the man who removed terrorism from Punjab has been shown in a very negative light here. He was shown to be a mass murderer. Who was Gill, though? What is their complete account ? We will tell you that in the story about the characters later. ? We will tell you that in the story about the characters later. castes of most of the police have been shown in this film. The havoc of terrorism has not been shown. Half truth has been shown. And another version says that half truth is more dangerous than a complete lie. So this is its basic story. One camp is calling it suppressed truth. The other camp is calling it an incomplete truth. And both have their own wounds. Everyone has their own arguments. But wait a minute because there is a problem here. This entire debate is happening on a film which no one can watch in India now. Now the question is that when no one can see then how will you decide whose statement is right and whose is wrong? Because to decide on something, you have to at least know the story. But no problem, the film has been removed. The story hasn't changed. Punjab [Music] 95, which was released as Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj film, got banned within 48 hours. We tell you a strange story about it. You know the name of this film was Punjab 95 and this 95 is associated with the year 1995. The year when the most famous and most loved film of Hindi cinema was released. A Punjabi film had released. In which the heroine ran into the lush mustard field and hugged the hero. ran into the lush mustard field and hugged the hero. waiting for the heroine with his arms outstretched, playing ting ting ting ting. The entire country loved that Punjab immensely. That film was one of the most successful films of India. That film was one of the most successful films of India. But unfortunately, coincidentally, in the same year, police jeeps were running behind the same fields in Punjab at night. The crematorium registers were getting filled with unclaimed names. Same paw, same year, 1995 [music], but two stories. which was shown to you through Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and the second story and the second story of Punjab 95 which was hidden, this Sutlej which has been banned is the second story and perhaps that is why there is not a single mustard field in this entire film. and perhaps that is why there is not a single mustard field in this entire film. no such romance. no such romance. Because Punjab was bathing in blood at that time. Because Punjab was bathing in blood at that time. Punjab was wounded with blood at many places. So because now we are going to take you to that same Punjab and this journey is not going to be easy. Now let's talk about this film because the first scene of this film is so dangerous that it will create fear in your heart. This scene is of a dark night. The deserted roads of Punjab are visible. Fields stretching far and wide are visible with no light. And a police jeep is running through that darkness. Policemen are sitting inside this jeep. They are chatting. Talks about home, stories about duty, mention of marriage, laughter and jokes. The atmosphere in the first scene of this film is exactly like that of a government jeep on night patrol. But then this jeep stops. Some people see Tara from behind. Bound and frightened, no interrogation, no trial, no final word. He is taken to a deserted place and then shot at point blank range. The and then shot at point blank range. The same jeep, the same policemen, they continue the gossip left from there. The that in this film it was also shown that a policeman says that Sir, I am not able to get married because my wife has said that I will not get married until you become an inspector. And then the policeman standing next to them shoots two more people point blank. He policeman standing next to them shoots two more people point blank. He after so many encounters you will become an inspector. Happy marriage. There is a whole condition here. She says that she will not get him married until he becomes an inspector. banata tera [music] Inspector. And after this, we finished some work like gossiping and went home. And that's why the scariest thing about this first scene of the film seems to be the And that's why the scariest thing about this first scene of the film seems to be the Because if you ever hit someone in anger, it is considered a crime. But if a person is killed out of habit without anger, then it is called a system. And in the very first scene the director lets you know that you have entered a world where killing is the duty. Where at night the jeep leaves carrying living people and in the morning unclaimed dead bodies reach the crematoriums. without it this story is incomplete. This is the year 1995. It had been 11 years since Operation Blue Star. Indira Gandhi had been assassinated and the wounds of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 had not yet healed. Punjab spent the entire 10 years drenched in blood. Terrorism took thousands of lives. The Terrorism took thousands of lives. The fight against terrorism also took lives. But this was the time when the situation was improving. At least in the newspaper headlines. But under the guise of this cleanliness campaign, some people in uniform were running another business. people in uniform were running another business. Understand the business. There was a reward, promotion and medal for every terrorist killed. So the recipe was easy. Pick up a guy, label him a terrorist, Pick up a guy, label him a terrorist, show an encounter and take the reward. At that time there was no one to ask whether the man was really a terrorist or not. If you have an old enmity with someone, take it up. If you don't old enmity with someone, take it up. If you don't like anything, pick it up. If you see any young boy, pick him up. If you want someone's land, take it. One dialogue from the film sums up that entire era in two lines. Where it is said in two lines. Where it is said that Sikhs are killing Sikhs and the powerful are enjoying the cream. And a bitter truth that the characters repeat again and again is that the situation in this country changes when something moves in Delhi. Whatever happens in Punjab, it does not matter to Delhi. And the And the hero of our story lives in this Punjab. [Music] Jaswant Singh Kharada Jaswant Singh Kharada Tarn Taran District This is the character played by Diljit Dossa who works in a bank. The wife at home is Pammi i.e. Paramjeet Kaur, played by Geetanjali Vidya. Two children and old parents. Bank in the morning, home in the evening, after that faith in the Guru, respect in the neighbourhood , no leader, no revolutionary. The film deliberately spends a lot of time trying to portray this man as an ordinary human being. Jaswant laughing with his family, loving his children and having arguments with his wife. laughing with his family, loving his children and having arguments with his wife. something breaks inside you too. Because this character is not any superhero of Jaswant or Diljit. It's you. This is your neighbor. This is every person who thinks that I don't know anything, I am a simple man. What enmity do I have with anyone am a simple man. What enmity do I have with anyone and then one day this illusion is broken. Kripal Singh, a close associate of Jaswant, suddenly goes missing. He had left the house. Did not return. No arrest, no FIR, no news. He was Jaswant sees Kripal's old mother, wife Gurpesh Kaur, wandering from door to door. She is going to the police station. I am being cursed. When she goes to the officers' office, she is made to sit outside. But she doesn't stop. She screams. She fights. She knocks on every door asking where is my son? If he is alive, bring him forward. If he dies, give me his body. Let me at is alive, bring him forward. If he dies, give me his body. Let me at least offer my last prayers. And then the film does that thing that takes your breath away. This is a very dangerous scene as those who have seen the film would know. This old mother goes in front of the police car. She cries and screams. She grabs hold of an officer's uniform and says, "Let me meet my son." And the officer says that he wants to meet his son. Hey, let's put it in the car and mix it today. Hey, let's put it in the car and mix it today. And this mixing means that they will kill you too and send you to your son. And this is what happens, what we had told in the beginning, a wedding scene of a man, he had to become an inspector. There were two people left who were shot, one of them was also killed, including the mother. [Music] So that mother, that fighting old mother asking questions was the biggest crime. First the son went missing, then the mother went missing, then there was silence in the neighborhood son went missing, then the mother went missing, then there was silence in the neighborhood because everyone knew but did not ask because they knew what happens to those who kidnap, character played by Diljit Dosan, Jaswant Saheb, cannot tolerate this silence, he goes to the police station to inquire and this is where the dialogue comes which is the soul of the film, the and this is where the dialogue comes which is the soul of the film, the police officer immediately calls Kripal a terrorist, police officer immediately calls Kripal a terrorist, says it was a rotten crop, it was necessary to harvest it and this dialogue is very heart touching. It was a rotten crop and it had to be harvested. And Jaswant answers without raising his voice. Rot may appear anywhere in the crop. The farm belongs to the farmer, isn't it sir? Even the one who has gone astray is our son. If there is a worm in the field, it is treated. The entire field is not set on fire. Wherever the road is. The field is not set on fire. Wherever the road is. The And then the thing that touches the heart is that a mother is a mother. Be it fate or the soldier's. A mother is a mother. Be it of a Khadakku or a policeman. The police officer has no answer to this. police officer has no answer to this. Just a threatening look. Don't jump too much. But during this time, Jaswant hears a strange sound. Nowadays the number of unclaimed dead bodies is increasing in the crematoriums of the city. And then Why so many dead bodies? Whose corpses are these ? And if there is, then who brings it to the crematorium ? And this one question is going to change history. Because this character, this is the life of this story. Register of crematoriums. Diljit Dosanjh has shown this. Jaswant Saheb starts visiting cremation grounds in 1995 as shown in the film. First greetings to the watchmen, then gradually trust, then talks. A tired crematorium worker says in a low voice that bodies are coming in in droves. Then show the register. Old dusty registers with dates on their pages. And the same word is written again and again, unclaimed, unclaimed. A detective idea comes to Jaswant's mind that wood would be needed to burn the dead body. Wood is purchased. A purchase receipt is generated. The bodies are hidden. But receipts cannot be hidden. He starts adding up the accounts for the purchase of wood. How much wood came in which month, how many pyres were lit, how many names are registered in the register and how many dead bodies were cremated without being registered. And who has better accounts than the banker And who has better accounts than the banker ? He does this work every day and then Diljeet gets busy in that work. In this work, he finds a partner whom even he does not expect. A policeman, Senior Constable Satnam Singh, played by Saurabh Sachdeva. A man in uniform whose conscience is A man in uniform whose conscience is not completely dead. He sees new boys from Punjab dying around him every day. He does n't want to endure all this. He hears screams on duty. Those screams follow him home. follow him home. And then Satnam slowly starts conveying the news to Jaswant. Who was picked up? Where was it kept? Which jeep came out on which night? Sourav Sajdeva's character is such that you start feeling bad towards the end of the role. He has an old mother at home and this character is remembered. The honest price of this will character is remembered. The honest price of this will break your heart later on. It unfolds layer by layer. The abducted person was kept illegally at some unknown place. The family would go to the police station for weeks and months before getting any response. We did not catch it. That We did not catch it. That man was not captured on paper. Then there was a fight, an encounter and then one morning two lines in the newspaper that an unknown terrorist was killed in an encounter at a particular place and his body was written as unclaimed in the cremation register, meaning those people in whose homes they were waiting even at that moment were becoming unclaimed. And this is the story of this film. Jaswant investigates three cremation grounds. Patti, Durgiana and Tarn Taran in Punjab in 95. And you will be surprised to know that in just three places just three places where this investigation is done, more than 2000 dead bodies are found with 'unclaimed' written in front of them. investigation was conducted and more than 2000 such funerals were arranged in Tarn Taran district alone. That This was proved true in the government investigation and the biggest proof was that most of the dead bodies were brought to the crematorium by the police themselves. Now the question is why would the police bring unclaimed dead bodies? Here the one who brought me here was the one who was going to kill me. Now you can calculate that if there are more than 2000 dead bodies in three crematoriums, then [Music] Jaswant Khalra's investigation and subsequent reports put the number of missing people at up to 25,000. 25,000, or almost an entire city, was wiped off the face of the paper. Without trial, without sentencing, Without trial, without sentencing, without last prayer, and among these, how many dead bodies were there without last prayer, and among these, how many dead bodies were there which were killed and thrown into the Sutlej, which were killed and thrown into the Sutlej, which flowed to Rajasthan. But the real story of the film starts from here. and its original videos are also available on the internet. If you go, there are many videos of Jaswant ji which you will find original. That means there is nothing hidden. [Music] This is where the most dangerous part of the story begins: what was the need to tell the truth? Because Jaswant Saheb had collected evidence during that period. Copies of the register were collected. The account of wood receipts, date, account of wood receipts, date, name, witnesses, everything was kept. inviting death. And they take all this to court. Put it before the press. Let us expose the court. Put it before the press. Let us expose the hidden slaughterhouse of Punjab Police before the world. Including date and count. Then there is an explosion. Because there were no allegations. There was evidence. It was not easy to deny. The register was official. The police brought the dead bodies. register was official. The police brought the dead bodies. that these human rights activists are living on foreign money and are defaming India. This dialogue might seem familiar to you. so much uproar all over the world regarding wars. I mean these people do anything for a little attention. I mean these people do anything for a little attention. foreign powers are defaming us. This is the biggest uneasiness of this film. You still hear taunts from 30 years [music] and actually this happened. This dialogue came when this hearing was going on in Punjab in 1995. These are This dialogue came when this hearing was going on in Punjab in 1995. These are system ignores the first one. Then there is noise for four days. Then everyone will forget. This is the formula. But the noise stops. The phase of explanation begins. There is phase of explanation begins. There is a very good scene in which Jaswant Sahib goes to the MLA of Tarn Taran and the MLA says very lovingly, ? The matter of the house has been within the house since 1984, sir, but now the matter is getting worse. That means we have been suppressing our wounds since 1984. means we have been suppressing our wounds since 1984. Press still keep quiet. Jaswant's answer lies in his work. He doesn't shut up. Police vehicles are parked outside his house. Surveillance throughout the night, if you pick up the phone, his wife remains scared of the breathing or threats from the other side. The children get scared. The neighbors start changing their ways. Because there is danger even in greeting the house which is under police surveillance. And in the meantime, there is a scene in this film which is disturbing but also beautiful. One morning Jaswant finds out that the police were guarding his house all night. that the police were guarding his house all night. shouting, getting angry. Jaswant goes inside the house and brings tea and gives tea to the policemen who were spying and says that you all must be tired. Just get the cup kept inside. Otherwise the wife gets angry. not against the police. Were not against the government. He was against killing those people who were burnt after being declared unclaimed. [MUSIC] And he was fighting this battle at home too. A fight in which his wife says that you are fighting for the justice of the whole world. What will happen to us? What will happen to the children? And they don't have an answer to this. There is no dialogue, no speech, only silence which is the gaze. And the subsequent scenes are about his helpless attempt to save his family. And that is the strength of this film. In this film, Diljit Dosanjh 's character has been made God. He has been allowed to remain human. A man who is afraid, divided, yet steadfast. The danger is so great that when there is talk of providing government protection to Jaswant , he refuses and there is no heroism here. This is the simple calculation of a frightened man. That if there is any danger from the police, then a gunman from the same police should be posted at the door. The guard is the same and the hunter is the same. However, meanwhile, the reality shown in this film was that Jaswant 's voice had spread across the country. Goes to Canada. In real life, Khaada had presented this entire matter before the Canadian Parliament and on the same foreign soil, Jaswant says what is the soul of this entire story. There is an old story that when the sun started setting, it asked the world who will bring light after me ? The whole world remained silent. Big heads bowed down. Then a small lamp in a hut far away heads bowed down. Then a small lamp in a hut far away said, I will do it, I will do as much as said, I will do it, I will do as much as I can, I I can, I challenge the darkness, if nothing else then at least I will challenge the darkness, if nothing else then at least I will not let darkness settle around me, I will bring light around me, Jaswant sahab was that lamp, Dilji Dosanjh, this is the whole story of Sutlej, who were those policemen in Diljit's film Sutlej who were accused of killing children in Punjab by carrying out fake encounters. He was accused of killing people. Who was accused of killing 25,000 people. So let me introduce you to those faces. The names have been changed in the film but you will recognize the faces. One of these faces is such that after hearing its outcome you will be trapped in hatred and pity. The Surjeet Singh Suga. The police captain of Tarnaran, played by Suvirinder Vicky. Vicky Sahab is an amazing actor and plays Sikh roles very well. He was like this in Dhurandhar also. He acted very well in Kohra. Cold eyes, slow, steady voice. Neither do they scream nor do they roar. Just what they do is scary. And in this film, many people keep the lamps of their homes burning. hate after watching this movie. Many Punjabi people also posted on social media about Suga that there was a time when mothers did not allow their young children to go out during the day because they were afraid that Suga would come and take them away and encounter them. Suga's thinking has been shown in this film. He wanted to end terrorism. It has been shown in this film that he had to clean the state, so if some innocent people were killed in between, he considered it a war price. Now, in reality, this is the character of Suga. He resembles Ajit Singh Sandhu, the real SSP of Tarn Taran in Punjab at that time. This is the This is the officer who was accused of conspiring to remove Khara officer who was accused of conspiring to remove Khara and later in 1997 he committed suicide by jumping in front of a train. You hate this guy the entire movie. But when the scene comes at the end where they die, you feel pity for them. Because then you understand that this was also a part of the same mill which you run yourself and the mill spares no one, not even the grinders. There is also a dialogue in this film that the one who cuts betel nut with a cutter. So Arjun Rampal says that you are the same betel nut. You will be cut. But officers like Sugaga are the branches of this tree. Let's go to its root. Where did Sugaga get this fearlessness of freedom from ? And his answer was DGP Indrapal Singh Bitda. The highest ranking officer of the Punjab Police, highest ranking officer of the Punjab Police, played by Kawaljeet Singh. most controversy is DGP Indrapal Singh Bitta, the real character is DGP KPS Gill. KPS Gill, if you know the politics of Punjab or know Punjab, then you must be knowing KPS Gill. or know Punjab, then you must be knowing KPS Gill. An officer whom Punjab cannot forget. Which has two images. An image that this officer completely eliminated terrorism from Punjab. And one image that was shown in this film was that KPS Gill that KPS Gill because if you do not know KPS Gill then you will not know KPS Gill then you will not be able to understand this story. KPS Gill Sahib was the not be able to understand this story. KPS Gill Sahib was the officer under whose leadership officer under whose leadership terrorism was almost eliminated from Punjab by 1993. There are many people who believe that the work which the army could not do was done by the Punjab Police. not do was done by the Punjab Police. In the year 1988, under his command, completed without causing any damage to the temple and which was also praised all over the world because before that, in Operation Blue Star, the army had entered inside. KPS Gill had earned respect in the same Golden Temple. This victory was not achieved for free. It is said that in this Operation Thunder Black Thunder, about 1700 soldiers of the Punjab Police were martyred and even the families of the policemen were on the target of the terrorists. But after 1993, a section in Punjab started believing that Punjab was now gradually becoming normal. Schools are opening, markets are buzzing , people are leaving their homes. And for this reason, KPS Gill was also given the Padmashree Award as DGP during that period. Those who so much power that no minister, no leader was his, neither did he have any account nor did he have anything, whatever KPS Gill thought was right, it is also true that no crime was ever proved against KPS Gill in the case of missing persons in Punjab during that period, KPS Gill in the case of missing persons in Punjab during that period, given the entire credit for eliminating terrorism in Punjab, is Human rights organizations have called many encounters during his time fake. However, there is a section which considers him a super cop. The hero agrees. I respect him a lot. And he believes that if Punjab does not separate from India today. Anti-India movements weakened. If Khalistani people fled the country, then KP Skill is behind it. One man, two images: hero to half the country, villain to the other, and that's what makes this debate so difficult because there's truth on both sides. [Music] Sadly, there are dead bodies on both sides. The film shows the pain of one of them. The film shows the pain of one of them. The pain is that KPS G is being accused of fake encounter. pain is that KPS G is being accused of fake encounter. Like this pain, just as this pain is true, there is another pain like this. In the film, Bitta is the man who gives free rein to the officers. Demands results. Doesn't ask for methods. And when people like Jaswant talk about human rights, Bitta dismisses it as a drama or a foreign conspiracy. The opponents are most angry at this character. He says that portraying the man during whose time peace returned to Punjab as a villain was to defame his service to the nation during that period. not take anyone's name. Still, if you felt bad, why did you feel bad? This is something to think about. That bad, why did you feel bad? This is something to think about. That wrong according to their own ideology. But the truth is But the truth is that both are true. There is another character in this who was giving strength to KPS Gill. Water at the root. Here comes the character of the Chief Minister. Clearly Now Ben Singh Sahib is someone whose story is an interesting one in itself. Congress an interesting one in itself. Congress CM under whose rule this game of oppression progressed most rapidly. There is a scene in the film where a press conference is going on and a journalist asks the DGP a question about missing persons and before the answer comes, the Chief Minister interrupts and takes over the conversation. That scene is very impactful because both the police working together. It shows in this. And then the story of the film which is recorded in history. On August 31, 1995, an explosion occurred outside the Chandigarh Secretariat and the Chief Minister's car was blown to pieces. Chief Minister's car was blown to pieces. constable, Dilawar Singh, who turned himself into a human bomb. are most angry. The allegation is that the film presents the murder as a response to oppression presents the murder as a response to oppression and ignores the Khalistan connection of the killers. The and ignores the Khalistan connection of the killers. The film's defense is that it is only showing the situation in which a uniformed soldier himself becomes a bomb. a uniformed soldier himself becomes a bomb. not justify it. But to be honest, the debate does not end here. The man who was murdered was the not end here. The man who was murdered was the head of an elected government. The culprits of that conspiracy have been punished in the court. This is not in the film. And those who know it miss it, and this is not a political ploy. The legitimate question is whether both things can be true simultaneously. The intention of the film is to show the atmosphere and the impact is one- sided. Now these are the upper floors. The Chief Minister, DGP, SSP now come to the lowest step of this building. Because the smallest man in this story later becomes its biggest man. He is SPO Kuljeet Singh i.e. Jagjeet Sindhu. Lower part of the Special Police Officer system , no rank, no power, no permanent job. The part that doesn't ask questions just gets ordered. If asked to dig a pit, he digs it. He does not ask what will be buried in the pit. The entire last part of the film is shown through these eyes and you will understand why in a while. Just know that the character is like the eyewitness of the real case whose testimony later got the murderers punished and in between these two destinations is stuck the man whom you have met earlier whose name is Satnam Singh. Character of Saurabh Sachdeva. Honest policeman. There is a very heart-wrenching scene between Suga and Satnam at Satnam's house. at Satnam's house. And a very normal scene was shown in the beginning. As if a senior officer has come to a junior's house to have tea. Say your prayers and salute. Ask about your well being. well being. Then gradually the room will change. And then you realize that it is not a meeting but something else. Satnam has an old mother at home. And when this scene ends, you understand the price of honesty. you understand the price of honesty. I would not have told you this scene because I would not have had the right to snatch this scene from you. not been released, I am telling you. who was helping Diljit's character. To gather information, the gather information, the ASP comes to his house with unclaimed dead bodies and brings two terrorists from Tarn Taran. They keep normal people who were called terrorists there and ask them to eat food but he does not eat, then they shoot him and then they ask this character then they shoot him and then they ask this character whether he had helped him and he remains silent and keeps looking, there is no reaction. It is a very dangerous scene. The no reaction. It is a very dangerous scene. The scene of Saurav Sachdeva, his mother and the SSP scares you. And then in the morning it is told that the And then in the morning it is told that the policeman was a Khalistani. There were weapons hidden in his house and he was plotting to terrorize Punjab. That is, he is killed because he kept his conscience alive and after his death he was made a terrorist. He kills two more people along with him and also comes to kill his old mother and this is very scary. not everyone in uniform is a devil. [Music] This is a scene in the film that shows that even at that time there were many honest people who that time there were many honest people who wanted to survive by keeping their conscience alive. The order was coming from above. There were two ways. Save the order or save the unclaimed corpse. Who would have survived and the same thing happened with Jaswant. On December 6, 1995 [music] when Jaswant was abducted and disappeared. abducted and disappeared. Like the 25,000 people who never met. Jaswant was also searched but could not be found. The search for the rest was found. Yes, Jaswant, who was searching for unclaimed bodies in the crematorium register and Jaswant, who was searching for unclaimed bodies in the crematorium register and that in someone's house there is a married woman who can neither be called a widow nor a married woman, there is no account of someone's husband's death, in someone's house there are children who have forgotten their father's face, hopes are broken at every door and the breaking of hope is more painful than death [music] and in the entire film there is no balm for this pain. and in the entire film there is no balm for this pain. not know one truth. The truth that came on this date that his name is next in this list. 6 September 1995. The same morning from where we started the story. Kabir Park, Amritsar Jaswant was washing his car outside his house. The man who was demanding accountability for thousands of missing people goes missing in broad daylight right in front of his house. In the same way that he explained to the world. The same way that he explained to the world. The police station? Against which the celebration was fighting. And we don't know the same memorized answer. We did not pick it up. The hunter felt his work was done. But he forgot to calculate that thinking cannot kill. Because by then Jaswant Saheb was not alone. His voice reached thousands of homes. From court files to the Parliament across the seven seas. His disappearance that day created a stir from Punjab to Canada and it was not the Canada and it was not the disappearance of an unknown villager but of a man whom the world knew. The matter goes to the Supreme Court. The court hands over the investigation to the CBI. And before the CBI investigation, when Jaswant appeared in front of the media for the last time, he had said that if I disappear, I die and my body is found somewhere, then the SSP will be responsible and from here Arjun Rampal's entry in the film takes place in the form of CBI officer Samudra, an outsider from Delhi who had to go into this swamp of Punjab to find a missing man this swamp of Punjab to find a missing man or find his truth, do ? There is not a single scene between Diljit and Arjun Rampal in the entire film. Arjun Rampal's story begins from there. But still both are tied by a thread. That is the thread of truth. The investigation of this CBI officer, who was Samudra Saheb, begins and he comes to know that he has to break a fort. Every evidence is covered with the veil of terrorism eradication. Every file is incomplete. There is a lock on every tongue. The witness who musters the courage to speak out either withdraws before the hearing or is withdraws before the hearing or is killed in an accident. And the person who reaches the court turns back on his statement because someone had come to meet him at his house the previous night. because someone had come to meet him at his house the previous night. To know about the well-being of his wife and children. In one scene, the CBI officer himself explodes in the court. He says everyone knows the truth [music] but the system is silent. And as a CBI officer, Arjun Rampal, who plays Samudra Saheb, you feel his anger. You feel that yes, something wrong is happening. And do you think justice will be served? smallest part inside this system who saw everything with his own eyes. who saw everything with his own eyes. SPO Kuljeet Singh Samudra reaches him and now the biggest shock of the film is played entirely through Kuljeet's eyes. This man had seen everything. Non that dungeon of legal imprisonment, that interrogation that lasted for weeks, which was not an interrogation, was revenge. The officer sitting in front, whose files of misdeeds Jaswant had shown to the world, and in the middle, the man who never raised his hand on anyone, who was giving water to the monitors. This part of the film shows raw brutality and without any filmy concessions and when this scene comes, you start throwing fists. You ca you start throwing fists. You ca n't take your eyes off the screen. Because you realize that the scene is n't a writer's imagination. One night a voice falls silent forever and Kuljeet, the youngest member, sees it. There are two paths before him: keep quiet, live, speak up, die, you will disappear. The film shows that when the most ordinary person in the system decides to speak the truth, the biggest building of the system collapses. And amidst this dark journey, the film manages to have a strange moment of smile. CBI arrives to arrest an accused policeman. He is found dressed as a groom in his wedding mandap. Do you know who this is? This is the same person about whom we had told in the beginning that about whom we had told in the beginning that Sir, your wife has said that you will not get married until you become an inspector. The second policeman kills two men, second policeman kills two men, now get married, he is at his wedding when the CBI people come to take him, when the CBI people come to take him, you do not understand Paramjeet Kaur is sitting, years of fight, years of waiting, years of everything, your heart breaks. A woman whose husband was taken away for speaking the truth is seeking justice from the same system that took away her husband. character and it is a very big truth. And because of that truth, six Punjab Police officers are sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping and killing Khalra. And this punishment was upheld in the High Court also. However, do you know what is worth noting in this ? Only six policemen and that too six junior policemen. Now the big question that the social media is asking today is whether or in Punjab 95, during the investigation in which 25,000 missing persons were talked about. Were only six soldiers punished in that case? And can six men make thousands disappear? Where have the commanding hands gone? Why has the ladder of justice not reached the higher positions? Even Why has the ladder of justice not reached the higher positions? Even after 31 years, because she has not even been given her husband's body, there is no grave, no tomb, is another page in the CBI files and that page opens with the name of this film. question must have come to your mind, why was the film named Sutlej? why was the film named Sutlej? fact, according to the CBI investigation and testimonies given in the courts, after being murdered in captivity, the body of Jaswant Singh Kharda was thrown into the canal of Harke area. The meet. are you understand? The river which irrigated the land of Punjab, on the strength of which this land of Panjab i.e. five waters was settled. And not just him, who knows how many nameless and abandoned people were left in those waters during that period. Therefore today Sutlej is not just a river. Sutlej is the last witness of thousands who were not cremated. In whose name no prayers were offered. So when the censors took away the name Punjab 95 from the film, the filmmakers chose a name that tells the whole story [music]. The censor must have thought that the name was changed. censor must have thought that the name was changed. Finished the edge. But the film makers put the soul of the entire story in the name itself. honest thing is that the shortcomings of the film should be pointed out because no film is perfect. Sutlej is a film of about a quarter of an hour. Some places are long. The initial part is a bit slow. Some unnecessary twists in the CBI part seem easy. Some critics also raised the serious point that the real Jaswant Singh Khalra came from a politically minded family. There was a whole movement of people behind him. Whereas in the film he was shown as a normal common man, standing on the support of faith, unaware of politics. This left out an important aspect of his personality. The biggest drawback is what the opponents say. During that period, terrorism took the lives of thousands of innocent people. The During that period, terrorism took the lives of thousands of innocent people. The film almost brushes that havoc aside. Because of this, the complete picture of that period does not emerge. There is no harm in accepting this. There are two opinions regarding these shortcomings. One side says that showing half the story is a false idea in itself. The second one says that telling incomplete truth and counting lies are two different things. Whatever this film says, it says with the help of court records. We leave the decision of who is right and who is wrong there. But there is one thing that both sides will agree on. Weak or incomplete films have been seen being released every day. I have why was this film shelved? This answer has been given neither by the government nor by Zee5. And until the answer comes, everyone will keep interpreting their own meaning. Dilji Dosanjh has immersed himself so completely in the role character has been played in this way. To come out of character, without screaming, without speechifying. In many places, what cannot be said in words has been said only through eyes. Most critics have given the film four plus stars out of five and have counted it among the best films of India this year. Diljit's performance has been unanimously called the best role of his career. And the biggest testimony has been given by the Khalda family itself. Said that this is the truth, this is the version. this is the truth, this is the version. And this film was removed in two days. Now remember that story, the question of the setting sun, the answer of the lamp in the hut, I had said that this story will return and its meaning will have changed. only one line was coming on social media. I challenge the darkness. That line was from a single man in the year 1995. Today in 2026, millions and crores of people are Today in 2026, millions and crores of people are A lamp was extinguished in the year 1995. Millions of lamps were lit in the year 2026. Those who Millions of lamps were lit in the year 2026. Those who extinguish the lamp did not understand one thing extinguish the lamp did not understand one thing that a lamp can be lit from another lamp. Zee5 has also said that Sutlej has stopped but the talks it has started will not talks it has started will not stop. stand with this film. Hope to bring it back soon. that why ban Sutlej? [Music] [Music] country where a man seeking justice was made to disappear. The man who wanted to bring justice to the story of 25,000 missing people. [Music] 25,000 people were killed , burned, anonymized, thrown into the river, labeled as unclaimed. The man who raised his voice for their rights was also thrown into the river. thrown into the river. And when this guy's story came out, it was deleted from the app. And when this guy's story came out, it was deleted from the app. But ask the people at the river, anything thrown into the water does not sink. It flows and while flowing it reaches the shores. reaches the shores. Today the lamp is in your hands. The lamp that was lit by a man in 1995. Having said that I challenge the darkness. Now if you think that this story should reach every home. So it is your responsibility to take it forward. So it is your responsibility to take it forward. We did our work, Diljit did his work. Now the responsibility is yours. You choose to live in this darkness You choose to live in this darkness or you challenge the darkness. That's all for or you challenge the darkness. That's all for this story for now. Hello.