Punjab ’95, originally titled Satluj, is one of the most talked-about Punjabi films of recent years. Starring Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role, the film tells the story of human-rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, whose work brought international attention to disappearances and alleged illegal cremations in Punjab during the turbulent period of the 1980s and 1990s.
Directed by Honey Trehan, Punjab ’95 is not a conventional Punjabi entertainer. It is a serious biographical crime drama and historical film built around human rights, courage, justice, memory and the search for truth. The movie finally reached streaming audiences in India on July 3, 2026, under the title Satluj, after years of delays and censorship-related controversy. ([IMDb][1])
What Is Punjab ’95 About?
Punjab ’95 is inspired by the life and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a prominent human-rights activist from Punjab.
Khalra investigated the disappearance of people during the Punjab militancy period and worked to uncover evidence concerning unidentified bodies and alleged illegal cremations. His investigation eventually became one of the most significant human-rights stories connected with Punjab during that era.
The film follows his determination to document what happened and seek accountability despite enormous personal risks. Diljit Dosanjh portrays Khalra, moving into a dramatically different territory from the romantic comedies and mainstream Punjabi entertainers for which he is widely known. ([IMDb][1])
Rather than treating the subject as a simple historical episode, the film focuses on the human cost of violence and the courage required to confront uncomfortable truths.
Why Was Punjab ’95 Renamed Satluj?
The film was originally known as Punjab ’95 and was also associated with the working title Ghallughara. Its original title was eventually changed, and the movie premiered on ZEE5 in India as Satluj.
The title Satluj refers to the Sutlej River, one of the major rivers associated with Punjab and its geography, history and cultural identity.
The title change became another important chapter in the film’s long journey to audiences. According to reporting, the movie spent years facing censorship-related delays before its eventual streaming release. ([IMDb][2])
Diljit Dosanjh as Jaswant Singh Khalra
One of the biggest attractions of Punjab ’95 is Diljit Dosanjh’s performance as Jaswant Singh Khalra.
Known internationally as a singer, actor and global Punjabi entertainment icon, Diljit takes on a much more restrained and serious role in this film. Instead of relying on comedy, romance or musical charisma, the performance is centered on the personality of a man committed to documenting evidence and pursuing justice.
The casting also gives the film additional significance because Diljit has become one of the most recognizable representatives of Punjabi culture internationally.
For audiences familiar with his commercial Punjabi films, Punjab ’95 represents a substantial departure from his usual screen image.
Punjab ’95 Cast
The film features a strong ensemble cast alongside Diljit Dosanjh.
Main Cast
- Diljit Dosanjh as Jaswant Singh Khalra
- Saurabh Sachdeva as Senior Constable Satnam Singh
- Arjun Rampal
- Suvinder Vicky
- Varun Badola
- Geetika Vidya Ohlyan
- Kanwaljeet Singh
- Jagjeet Sandhu
- Veer Abhinav
- S. M. Zaheer
- Akhilesh Dwivedi
- Geeta Agrawal Sharma
The cast combines established performers with actors experienced in serious drama and character-driven cinema. ([FilmiBeat][3])
Who Directed Punjab ’95?
Honey Trehan directed Punjab ’95 and also received writing credit alongside Niren Bhatt and Utsav Maitra.
The production team included Abhishek Chaubey, Ronnie Screwvala and Honey Trehan, with RSVP Movies among the production companies associated with the project.
The technical team includes cinematographer K. U. Mohanan and editor A. Sreekar Prasad, adding considerable experience behind the camera. ([FilmiBeat][3])
Punjab ’95 Release Date and OTT Release
After years of uncertainty, Punjab ’95 finally became available to Indian viewers on July 3, 2026.
However, audiences did not find it under its better-known name Punjab ’95. The film premiered on ZEE5 as Satluj. Reports noted that the release followed more than three years of censorship-related delays. ([The Print][4])
The film has a reported runtime of approximately 169 minutes, or 2 hours and 49 minutes. ([IMDb][1])
Is Satluj Still Available in India?
There was another major development immediately after its release.
ZEE5 removed Satluj from its Indian catalogue shortly after the premiere. ZEE5 said the movie would remain unavailable in India until further notice while the situation was addressed through due process. Reports indicated that the film had been taken down only days after becoming available. ([NDTV][5])
This made the film’s release story almost as significant as the production itself.
Punjab ’95 and the Jaswant Singh Khalra Story
At the heart of Punjab ’95 is the story of a man who chose investigation over silence.
Jaswant Singh Khalra researched cases involving missing people and allegedly unidentified bodies during a deeply troubled period in Punjab’s history. His work attempted to connect individual disappearances with a much larger pattern.
According to reporting on the film’s historical background, Khalra investigated the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies. He disappeared in 1995, and the case subsequently became an important human-rights issue. Four Punjab Police personnel were convicted in connection with his abduction and murder in 2005. ([The Print][4])
The film therefore explores themes that remain emotionally powerful:
- Human rights
- Justice and accountability
- Courage under pressure
- Missing persons
- Historical memory
- State power
- Family and personal sacrifice
- The importance of documenting evidence
Why Punjab ’95 Is Different From Typical Punjabi Films
Punjabi cinema has produced everything from comedy and romance to action, family drama and socially conscious films. Punjab ’95 occupies a considerably darker and more serious space.
There are no conventional expectations of a commercial Punjabi entertainer at its center. Instead, the movie asks viewers to engage with a difficult chapter of Punjab’s history.
That makes it particularly relevant for viewers interested in Punjabi historical movies, biographical films, human-rights stories and socially relevant Indian cinema.
The film also demonstrates how Punjabi cinema can address subjects with national and international relevance.
Punjab ’95 vs Satluj: What’s the Difference?
There is no separate movie called Punjab ’95 and Satluj in this context.
They refer to the same film.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Original title | Satluj |
| Better-known title | Punjab ’95 |
| Director | Honey Trehan |
| Lead actor | Diljit Dosanjh |
| Character | Jaswant Singh Khalra |
| Genre | Biographical crime drama |
| Runtime | About 169 minutes |
| Indian streaming premiere | July 3, 2026 |
| OTT platform | ZEE5 |
| Primary language | Punjabi |
| Subject | Life and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra |
IMDb currently lists Punjab ’95 with Satluj as its original title and identifies the film as a Punjabi biography/crime drama/thriller. ([IMDb][1])
Final Verdict: Should You Watch Punjab ’95?
Punjab ’95 is designed for viewers looking for something deeper than conventional entertainment.
Its biggest strength is its subject: the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra and his pursuit of truth during one of Punjab’s most difficult periods. Diljit Dosanjh’s transformation into a serious historical character gives the film an additional layer of interest, while Honey Trehan’s direction places the story firmly within the world of political and human-rights drama.
The film’s complicated journey—from Punjab ’95 to Satluj, from years of censorship delays to its brief Indian streaming release—has also made it one of the most significant Punjabi film stories of 2026. ([Onmanorama][6])
For fans of Diljit Dosanjh, Punjabi cinema, biographical movies, historical dramas and socially relevant Indian films, Punjab ’95 is a title worth knowing about.
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