Satluj - Film Review | Faultlines EP 8

The story of Shaheed Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra deserves to be told. The question is: whose story is being told? In this episode of Faultlines, we critically review the new film Punjab 95 (Satluj) and ask whether it faithfully represents the life, work and Shaheedi of Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra—or whether it ultimately reinforces the very narrative it appears to challenge. Rather than simply reviewing the film as entertainment, we examine the assumptions that shape its story: Does the film explain why Bhai Khalra was targeted? Why is Khalistan almost entirely absent? Does it reduce systematic state violence to the actions of a few "bad apples"? How are the Kharku portrayed, and what does that reveal? Why is the CBI presented as the moral centre of the story? What happens when Sikh history is retold through the political grammar of the Indian state? We also discuss the wider problem of cinematic representations of the 1970s–1990s, the myth of Punjab's "dark days," and why context matters just as much as facts. This is not a review of Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra. It is a review of how his legacy is represented—and what is lost when Sikh history is detached from Sikh sovereignty. Further Reading/Viewing: Podcast with Basics of Sikhi:    • The Truth About Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra ...   Articles: https://www.nsyf.org.uk/blog/the-true... https://www.nsyf.org.uk/blog/mukhtee-... https://www.baaznews.org/p/diljit-dos... - Faultlines is a long-form conversation exploring Sikh history, sovereignty, decolonisation and contemporary issues through a Sikh lens. If you found this discussion valuable, consider subscribing and sharing the episode to help broaden the conversation.