Film 'Satluj' Highlights Human Rights Activist Jaswant Singh Khalra's Fight Against Extrajudicial Killings

After a long delay and a title change, director Honey Trehan's film 'Satluj' has been released. The film, initially titled 'Panjab 95', focuses on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who documented extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the 1990s.

The film opens with a scene depicting a police officer demanding post-mortem reports for two individuals killed in an encounter. When doctors discover one victim is still alive, the officer returns her to the site of the encounter and kills her, then brings her back. This scene sets the tone for the film's exploration of state violence and the disappearance of individuals.

'Satluj' draws parallels with Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Haider' in its portrayal of a region where rivers carry the memory of the dead. The film's title, referencing the Satluj river, symbolizes water as a witness to crimes and a repository of truth.

The narrative follows Khalra, an ordinary bank manager who becomes a human rights activist. He dedicates his life to uncovering the truth about enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The film examines the burdens faced by three men resisting a system that erases witnesses to history. It contrasts with 'Haider' by showing the system itself abducting the protagonist rather than descending into madness.

Diljit Dosanjh portrays Khalra, whose real-life activism led to his abduction and presumed death. The film highlights the importance of truth and justice for families of the disappeared.