The producers of the Jaswant Singh Khalra biopic moved the Bombay high court against the suggestion of the Central Board of Film Certification for 21 cuts in the Diljit Dosanjh starrer. The CBFC has offered the controversial film an ‘A’ certificate and demanded 21 cuts including modification in dialogues and scenes.
The court heard the prosecution’s arguments on July 14, and adjourned the hearing. The CBFC feels, the film portrays Punjab police in negative light and could incite violence. The Board also feels, the film is anti-national and promotes radicalisation.
Jaswant Singh Khalra was a prominent Sikh human rights activist, best known for uncovering custodial killings and cremations which took place during the militancy period in Punjab. Khalra had estimated that 25,000 Sikhs had been illegally murdered and cremated by the Punjab police and the state.
Among the alterations, the CBFC has demanded that the claim of 25,000 illegal killings be deleted. The film also stars Arjun Rampal, and it is directed by Honey Trehan.