Explained: Satluj controversy, ban in India and link to Punjab insurgency
Zee5 has removed Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj from its platform in India just days after releasing the film in its uncut version. Here's what happened.
Director Honey Trehan and Diljit Dosanjh’s recently released film, Satluj, was taken off ZEE5 in India on Sunday, less than 48 hours after its long-delayed release. The film received strong reviews from critics and audiences during its brief availability on the OTT platform. Zee5 on Sunday said the film remains on "pause" in light of "current developments".
The OTT platform said it continues to stand by the film and its makers, even as it did not specify the reason for taking it down. The development came shortly after the film, previously titled Punjab ’95, finally began streaming uncut on July 3, only to be removed on July 5.
Why did the film not release in theatres
Satluj, earlier titled Punjab ’95, took more than three years to be released. For a theatrical release, the Central Board of Film Certification [CBFC] had asked the team to make over 125 cuts. The team did not go ahead with those cuts, and the film did not release in cinemas for three years.
The film was eventually released uncut on OTT. However, within two days of its OTT debut, it was taken down in India. Zee5 has not stated whether the present unavailability is linked to the earlier certification issues, and has only referred to ‘current developments’.
Why has Satluj been controversial?
Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra (played by Diljit Dosanjh), who exposed the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies during Punjab's militancy era in the 1980s and 1990s. Khalra documented evidence suggesting that thousands of people who had disappeared during the insurgency were secretly cremated by the police without informing their families.
Khalra's investigation brought international attention to human rights violations during one of Punjab's most turbulent periods. In 1995, Khalra himself was abducted and later killed. Several police officials were subsequently convicted in connection with his abduction and murder.
Given the politically sensitive subject, the film ran into prolonged certification hurdles. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sought extensive changes before granting clearance, with the makers alleging that the demands went far beyond routine edits.
When director Honey Trehan called out CBFC
According to director Honey Trehan, the censor board's demands escalated dramatically – from an initial 21 cuts to 127 suggested changes. He alleged that the board even asked the makers to remove the name of Jaswant Singh Khalra from the film.
Speaking to The New Indian Express, Trehan criticised the demands, saying, "Our work is our freedom of speech. Let it come out. If anybody has a problem, they can go to the court. We'll follow what the court says."
He added that asking the makers to remove Khalra's identity defeated the very purpose of the film.
"CBFC tells us to change the name of Jaswant Singh Khalra, the real-life person on whom our film is based. What they are asking is the deletion of the name of a martyr from our history. Jaswant Singh Khalra has been abducted once again; this time by the CBFC," he said.
Trehan further argued that the issue extended beyond his film.
"The 127 cuts are not on the film but on the democracy of the country. You don't even have legitimate reasons for the cuts you suggest," he said.
The makers chose not to implement the requested cuts, resulting in the film remaining unreleased in theatres.
Zee5’s statement on the takedown
On Sunday, Zee5 issued a statement thanking viewers for their response to the film. It said, “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.”
The platform also said it stood by the film’s team and its vision. “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,” it said.
Without giving a reason why the film is no longer available to stream in India, Zee5 added, “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.” The statement ended with the line, “Our commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering.”
What Diljit Dosanjh said after the release
Diljit Dosanjh appeared to have anticipated the possibility of the film being taken down. During an Instagram Live session after the release, when a fan asked if he feared it would be removed, he said he did. He also said he was surprised that it had reached OTT at all.
“Today is Saturday. I feel it could be taken down by Monday. But no worries, you download it,” he said.
After the release, Diljit also shared that he had often wondered whether the film would ever be released. He wrote, “Mai Aksar Team Nu Pushda Rehnda C Ke Eh Film Kadey v Ni Augi? Asi Apni Kahani Nhi Das Sakde? Khalra Saab Di Avaaz Nu 1995 ch v Dabaa Dita Geya.. Te Aj V Ona Di Avaaz Nu Dabaa Rahe Aa.. Asi Kithey Khadey An? Kang Bhaji Always Mainu Kehnde c Samaa Badluga film Ek Din Zarur Release Hougi. SHUKAR SHUKAR BAS SHUKAR.”
In translation, he said, “I used to constantly ask the team, ‘Will this film ever come out? Can’t we tell our own story?’ Khalra Sahib’s voice was suppressed back in 1995... and even today, his voice is being suppressed... Where do we stand? Kang always used to tell me, ‘Times will change; the film will definitely be released one day.’ Gratitude, gratitude, and nothing but gratitude.”
While Zee5 has not officially linked the takedown to the film's earlier certification battle or cited any legal direction, the move has renewed attention on Satluj's troubled journey. From an unprecedented censorship dispute and years of delay to a brief OTT release followed by its sudden removal, the film continues to be at the centre of debates around censorship, artistic freedom and the portrayal of one of Punjab's most sensitive chapters in recent history.
Director Honey Trehan and Diljit Dosanjh’s recently released film, Satluj, was taken off ZEE5 in India on Sunday, less than 48 hours after its long-delayed release. The film received strong reviews from critics and audiences during its brief availability on the OTT platform. Zee5 on Sunday said the film remains on "pause" in light of "current developments".
The OTT platform said it continues to stand by the film and its makers, even as it did not specify the reason for taking it down. The development came shortly after the film, previously titled Punjab ’95, finally began streaming uncut on July 3, only to be removed on July 5.
Why did the film not release in theatres
Satluj, earlier titled Punjab ’95, took more than three years to be released. For a theatrical release, the Central Board of Film Certification [CBFC] had asked the team to make over 125 cuts. The team did not go ahead with those cuts, and the film did not release in cinemas for three years.
The film was eventually released uncut on OTT. However, within two days of its OTT debut, it was taken down in India. Zee5 has not stated whether the present unavailability is linked to the earlier certification issues, and has only referred to ‘current developments’.
Why has Satluj been controversial?
Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra (played by Diljit Dosanjh), who exposed the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies during Punjab's militancy era in the 1980s and 1990s. Khalra documented evidence suggesting that thousands of people who had disappeared during the insurgency were secretly cremated by the police without informing their families.
Khalra's investigation brought international attention to human rights violations during one of Punjab's most turbulent periods. In 1995, Khalra himself was abducted and later killed. Several police officials were subsequently convicted in connection with his abduction and murder.
Given the politically sensitive subject, the film ran into prolonged certification hurdles. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sought extensive changes before granting clearance, with the makers alleging that the demands went far beyond routine edits.
When director Honey Trehan called out CBFC
According to director Honey Trehan, the censor board's demands escalated dramatically – from an initial 21 cuts to 127 suggested changes. He alleged that the board even asked the makers to remove the name of Jaswant Singh Khalra from the film.
Speaking to The New Indian Express, Trehan criticised the demands, saying, "Our work is our freedom of speech. Let it come out. If anybody has a problem, they can go to the court. We'll follow what the court says."
He added that asking the makers to remove Khalra's identity defeated the very purpose of the film.
"CBFC tells us to change the name of Jaswant Singh Khalra, the real-life person on whom our film is based. What they are asking is the deletion of the name of a martyr from our history. Jaswant Singh Khalra has been abducted once again; this time by the CBFC," he said.
Trehan further argued that the issue extended beyond his film.
"The 127 cuts are not on the film but on the democracy of the country. You don't even have legitimate reasons for the cuts you suggest," he said.
The makers chose not to implement the requested cuts, resulting in the film remaining unreleased in theatres.
Zee5’s statement on the takedown
On Sunday, Zee5 issued a statement thanking viewers for their response to the film. It said, “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.”
The platform also said it stood by the film’s team and its vision. “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,” it said.
Without giving a reason why the film is no longer available to stream in India, Zee5 added, “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.” The statement ended with the line, “Our commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering.”
What Diljit Dosanjh said after the release
Diljit Dosanjh appeared to have anticipated the possibility of the film being taken down. During an Instagram Live session after the release, when a fan asked if he feared it would be removed, he said he did. He also said he was surprised that it had reached OTT at all.
“Today is Saturday. I feel it could be taken down by Monday. But no worries, you download it,” he said.
After the release, Diljit also shared that he had often wondered whether the film would ever be released. He wrote, “Mai Aksar Team Nu Pushda Rehnda C Ke Eh Film Kadey v Ni Augi? Asi Apni Kahani Nhi Das Sakde? Khalra Saab Di Avaaz Nu 1995 ch v Dabaa Dita Geya.. Te Aj V Ona Di Avaaz Nu Dabaa Rahe Aa.. Asi Kithey Khadey An? Kang Bhaji Always Mainu Kehnde c Samaa Badluga film Ek Din Zarur Release Hougi. SHUKAR SHUKAR BAS SHUKAR.”
In translation, he said, “I used to constantly ask the team, ‘Will this film ever come out? Can’t we tell our own story?’ Khalra Sahib’s voice was suppressed back in 1995... and even today, his voice is being suppressed... Where do we stand? Kang always used to tell me, ‘Times will change; the film will definitely be released one day.’ Gratitude, gratitude, and nothing but gratitude.”
While Zee5 has not officially linked the takedown to the film's earlier certification battle or cited any legal direction, the move has renewed attention on Satluj's troubled journey. From an unprecedented censorship dispute and years of delay to a brief OTT release followed by its sudden removal, the film continues to be at the centre of debates around censorship, artistic freedom and the portrayal of one of Punjab's most sensitive chapters in recent history.
