Punjab 1984 - Movie Review

Today, I got a chance to watch Diljit Dosanjh’s movie “Punjab 1984”. During the promotion of this movie it was said that the film was based on facts which presents the trauma of 1984.

No doubt, the movie is made while relating to the story with the times of 1984. The movie starts with death of a character who gets killed by army while he was going to Darbar Sahib on martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Sahib Ji.

But in no way the movie appears to be based on true facts. While presenting the police torture/ atrocities on masses, the (Sikh) militant movement is also shown as a cruel movement; as it’s often presented by the state propaganda machinery.

Punjab 1984 movie by anurag singh starring diljeet dosanjh

Militants, who were shown as heading struggle for Khalistan kills Hindus while pulling them out of buses and plant bombs in buses to kill common people.

Presenting a meeting of (so-called) militants as “conference”, militants are shown as fighting with each other on minor things. One elderly militant says ‘talk to Delhi, there is no use of bullets’. Another says ‘the power of gun will bring out Khalistan’. The killing of Hindus is then linked with this (meeting). Some militants who thought that such killings were wrong go to assassinate that militant leader but the hero of the movie is shown as lacking capacity to fire the bullet at that leader.

But at the end the militant leader and his elderly adviser are shown as traitors who were ultimately killed by Diljit Dosanjh in the movie.

Actually, no issue is at the focus of the movie. This is an imaginary story that has been named as “Punjab 1984” just to sell it.

This movie defames the militant movement and shows Khalistani characters as a cruel entities. This film should not be confused of having relation to the 1984 trauma of the Sikhs or the Sikh freedom movement.

From film’s point of view Kirron Kher’s part is excellent. She has shown the height of motherly feelings in her role.​