Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj taken down from ZEE5 India until further notice
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj, originally titled Punjab 95, has been taken down from ZEE5 India until further notice. The streaming platform said it is exploring legal options to bring the film back and reaffirmed its support for the makers and their creative vision.
Satluj, originally titled Punjab 95, has been taken down from ZEE5 in India until further notice. The Diljit Dosanjh-starrer, based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, had only recently premiered on the platform after years of delays and a prolonged battle with the censor board.
ZEE5 confirmed the development on social media. In an official statement, the streaming platform said it continues to stand by the film, its makers and its creative vision. The streaming platform added that it is exploring legal options to bring it back for viewers in India.
The film had skipped a theatrical release in India and was released directly on the streaming platform under its new title after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly sought more than 120 cuts.
The statement read, “The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life (sic).”
“At Zee5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives (sic),” it continued.
The streaming platform also 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 (sic).”
The statement concluded by saying that the platform's commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering.
The caption of the post read, “Satluj may have paused. But the conversation it started hasn’t. Thank you for the incredible love. We hope to bring it back soon.”
Earlier in the day, former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh called the film a must-watch.
The film had remained stuck with the CBFC for years. Reports had said the board sought over 100 edits, including changes to the title, references to Punjab and the identity of the real-life protagonist. Director Honey Trehan and the producers had maintained that the film was based on documented events, which led to a prolonged stalemate and repeated delays in its release. The controversy had also affected its festival run, with the film being withdrawn ahead of its scheduled premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Satluj is inspired by the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab during the insurgency linked to the Khalistan movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It stars Diljit in the lead alongside Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan. The film is backed by RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures and is co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Honey Trehan and Abhishek Chaubey.
Satluj, originally titled Punjab 95, has been taken down from ZEE5 in India until further notice. The Diljit Dosanjh-starrer, based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, had only recently premiered on the platform after years of delays and a prolonged battle with the censor board.
ZEE5 confirmed the development on social media. In an official statement, the streaming platform said it continues to stand by the film, its makers and its creative vision. The streaming platform added that it is exploring legal options to bring it back for viewers in India.
The film had skipped a theatrical release in India and was released directly on the streaming platform under its new title after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly sought more than 120 cuts.
The statement read, “The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life (sic).”
“At Zee5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives (sic),” it continued.
The streaming platform also 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 (sic).”
The statement concluded by saying that the platform's commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering.
The caption of the post read, “Satluj may have paused. But the conversation it started hasn’t. Thank you for the incredible love. We hope to bring it back soon.”
Earlier in the day, former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh called the film a must-watch.
The film had remained stuck with the CBFC for years. Reports had said the board sought over 100 edits, including changes to the title, references to Punjab and the identity of the real-life protagonist. Director Honey Trehan and the producers had maintained that the film was based on documented events, which led to a prolonged stalemate and repeated delays in its release. The controversy had also affected its festival run, with the film being withdrawn ahead of its scheduled premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Satluj is inspired by the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab during the insurgency linked to the Khalistan movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It stars Diljit in the lead alongside Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan. The film is backed by RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures and is co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Honey Trehan and Abhishek Chaubey.
