Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj, a film based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was taken down from streaming platform ZEE5 in India on Sunday, just 48 hours after its premiere on July 3. The platform stated the film is “unavailable in India until further notice” while committing to efforts to restore access through due process. It remains available on ZEE5 Global outside India.
The film, directed by Honey Trehan and produced by RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures, had faced prolonged challenges with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Reports indicate the board demanded over 120 cuts. After years of delays and title changes from Punjab 95, it was released directly on the OTT platform without theatrical release or the suggested edits.
Jaswant Singh Khalra’s Legacy
Satluj chronicles the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a former bank employee turned activist who in the mid-1990s documented alleged extrajudicial killings and illegal cremations during Punjab’s counter-insurgency operations. Khalra highlighted cremation records from local facilities and raised concerns over thousands of unidentified bodies. He was abducted in 1995 and later found murdered, with his body recovered from a canal.
The narrative has reignited public discussion about one of Punjab’s most turbulent periods involving militancy, police actions, and human rights issues in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Platform Statement and Artist Response
In its official statement, ZEE5 said: “In light of the current developments, ‘Satluj’ will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity… At ZEE5, we stand firmly by ‘Satluj’ and the creative vision behind it.”Diljit Dosanjh responded on Instagram shortly after the removal, sharing a clip from the film and writing: “I challenge the darkness. Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra Ji #Panjab95 SATLUJ naal v oh hee hoyea jo Khalra Saab naal hoyea c.” The actor had earlier expressed concerns during an Instagram Live that the film might face restrictions.
Political and Public Reactions
The development has drawn sharp reactions in Punjab. Political leaders and Sikh organizations have condemned the removal, describing it as an effort to suppress historical discourse. Sukhpal Singh Khaira, for instance, strongly criticized the action, linking it to narratives of police brutality during the period.Government sources, according to some reports, cited concerns that the film could be misused by anti-national elements or exacerbate sensitivities around Punjab’s past ahead of political events. Critics, including journalists and activists, have raised issues of freedom of expression and the importance of confronting difficult chapters in history.The film has reportedly circulated widely through unofficial channels, including downloaded copies shared on messaging platforms.
Context of Production
Satluj also stars Arjun Rampal and marks a significant project for Dosanjh in exploring socially relevant themes. Its journey from production hurdles to a limited digital window underscores ongoing tensions between cinematic storytelling and regulatory oversight in India.As reactions continue, the episode has broadened conversations on Punjab’s historical memory, censorship in media, and the role of art in addressing past events. ZEE5 has expressed appreciation for audience support and its intent to resolve the matter.
Further updates are awaited on the film’s availability in India.