Former cricketer and Member of Parliament Harbhajan Singh on Sunday shared his thoughts on Diljit Dosanjh's film Satluj, describing it as a must-watch and stating that "truth cannot remain buried forever." The film, previously titled Punjab '95, was recently released on ZEE5 and is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra.
In a detailed post on X, Harbhajan noted that the film had received a 9.7 rating on IMDb before reflecting on its subject matter. He praised director Honey Trehan and lead actor Diljit Dosanjh for bringing Khalra's story to a wider audience.
Referring to the historical significance of the film, Harbhajan wrote, "Jallianwala Bagh stands as one of history's greatest massacres. It was carried out by a colonial regime. But the question that haunts me after watching Jaswant Singh Khalra is different."
He continued, "What is more painful than oppression by an outsider? When those entrusted to protect their own people are accused of becoming the source of their greatest fear."
Harbhajan further wrote that the responsibility of a police officer is to safeguard innocent lives rather than misuse authority. He said Khalra's efforts to expose alleged illegal disappearances and secret cremations served as a reminder of how the abuse of state power can leave lasting scars across generations.
He also stated that many families in Punjab continue to await answers and justice.
Concluding his post, Harbhajan wrote, "Many families are still waiting for justice. Truth cannot remain buried forever. Outstanding work by @HoneyTrehan and @diljitdosanjh for bringing the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra to the world. His courage deserves to be remembered."
A Long Road to Release
Satluj faced several years of delays before finally being released on streaming platforms.
The film remained pending with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after it was reportedly asked to undergo extensive changes. Reports suggested that the board had proposed more than 100 edits, including changes to the film's title, references to Punjab, and the identity of its real-life protagonist.
Director Honey Trehan and the producers maintained throughout that the film was based on documented historical events.
The prolonged dispute also affected the film's festival journey, resulting in its withdrawal ahead of its scheduled premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Inspired by the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, Satluj follows his pursuit of justice during a turbulent period in Punjab's history. The film features Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role, alongside Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
