Satluj was never about Khalra's politics: Director Honey Trehan defends film
Director Honey Trehan defended his portrayal of Jaswant Singh Khalra, rejecting criticism that the film omitted the activist's political views. He said the film focussed on Khalra's work exposing human rights violations.
Filmmaker Honey Trehan has addressed criticism over his portrayal of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, responding to questions about why the film does not delve into Khalra's political views or his alleged advocacy for the Khalistan movement. In a recent interview, Trehan said the film was never intended to examine Khalra's politics, but rather to focus on his work exposing human rights violations.
Speaking to Screen, the director said, “Yes, I read about him in great detail and I know of his politics too. But I was not making the film to scrutinise anyone’s personality. My focus was his human rights work. Does his politics negate that?”
Further, the Raat Akeli Hai director also questioned the circumstances surrounding Khalra's abduction and killing, arguing that even official accounts did not portray him as a criminal.
"Even in the police testimonies, the cops say that, 'If he was such a nice man and a law-abiding citizen, why was he abducted and killed by the police?'" he added.
Trehan's on Satluj ban
In the same interview, Trehan, born and raised in Tarn Taran Sahib, also spoke about the ban on his film. He called the decision "heartbreaking" and said he was devastated after the film was blocked in India within 48 hours of its release and later removed from Zee5 globally. Trehan also appealed to the Centre to allow Khalra's story to be told, saying the late activist deserved the freedom to have his story reach audiences.
“I was heartbroken. The ban pushes you into a corner, and you’re forced to ask yourself, are we seriously living in a democratic country? You see, 31 years ago, Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted and killed by the Punjab Police. Back then, the Centre had played a great role in delivering him justice. Today, after 31 years, Khalra is being abducted again. All I ask the Centre is that please have a big heart, please be kind towards us, and let us tell his story to the world. Do not abduct Khalra again,” he said.
He requested the Centre to show compassion and allow Khalra's story to be told. Trehan added that the late activist deserved that freedom and that they were grateful that the story could find its audience across the world.
Meanwhile, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the restoration of Satluj on Zee5. The petition alleges that the film was removed from the platform without any publicly disclosed statutory, judicial or governmental order and seeks its restoration, along with disclosure of the reasons behind the takedown.
Filmmaker Honey Trehan has addressed criticism over his portrayal of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, responding to questions about why the film does not delve into Khalra's political views or his alleged advocacy for the Khalistan movement. In a recent interview, Trehan said the film was never intended to examine Khalra's politics, but rather to focus on his work exposing human rights violations.
Speaking to Screen, the director said, “Yes, I read about him in great detail and I know of his politics too. But I was not making the film to scrutinise anyone’s personality. My focus was his human rights work. Does his politics negate that?”
Further, the Raat Akeli Hai director also questioned the circumstances surrounding Khalra's abduction and killing, arguing that even official accounts did not portray him as a criminal.
"Even in the police testimonies, the cops say that, 'If he was such a nice man and a law-abiding citizen, why was he abducted and killed by the police?'" he added.
Trehan's on Satluj ban
In the same interview, Trehan, born and raised in Tarn Taran Sahib, also spoke about the ban on his film. He called the decision "heartbreaking" and said he was devastated after the film was blocked in India within 48 hours of its release and later removed from Zee5 globally. Trehan also appealed to the Centre to allow Khalra's story to be told, saying the late activist deserved the freedom to have his story reach audiences.
“I was heartbroken. The ban pushes you into a corner, and you’re forced to ask yourself, are we seriously living in a democratic country? You see, 31 years ago, Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted and killed by the Punjab Police. Back then, the Centre had played a great role in delivering him justice. Today, after 31 years, Khalra is being abducted again. All I ask the Centre is that please have a big heart, please be kind towards us, and let us tell his story to the world. Do not abduct Khalra again,” he said.
He requested the Centre to show compassion and allow Khalra's story to be told. Trehan added that the late activist deserved that freedom and that they were grateful that the story could find its audience across the world.
Meanwhile, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the restoration of Satluj on Zee5. The petition alleges that the film was removed from the platform without any publicly disclosed statutory, judicial or governmental order and seeks its restoration, along with disclosure of the reasons behind the takedown.
