Show Satluj to friends; I'm with Punjab till I die: Diljit after film's removal
Diljit Dosanjh thanked viewers after Satluj was removed from Zee5 within two days of release. He said the film had still reached audiences and urged those who downloaded it to keep sharing it.
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has reacted after his film Satluj was removed from Zee5 just two days after its India release. Speaking during an Instagram Live on Monday, the actor thanked viewers for supporting the film despite its brief availability and urged those who had already watched and downloaded it to share it with others. Reiterating that "once something is online, it can't be erased," Diljit also reflected on the film's turbulent journey and the story it set out to tell.
He urged those who had watched and downloaded the film to share it with others who had not yet seen it, while also speaking about the film's journey, its subject, and the obstacles it faced before release.
"I came live on Instagram to thank people for watching Satluj. What I had feared actually happened. I thought the film would be taken down by Monday, but it happened sooner than expected. That's why we didn't promote the film. It was best to release the film online without any promotion. Today's youth is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra. Every home is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra," Diljit said. He added, "You can trouble me as much as you want. I am with Punjab till the day I die."
Diljit said he was relieved that the film had finally reached viewers. "But I'm happy and relieved that the film finally reached the audience. Many people have already downloaded it. Once anything lands online, it never gets deleted. I saw a video from Rajasthan where people are watching the film; I felt very happy. Please show it to your friends and everyone around you," he said.
Take a look at the video:
Satluj is based on one of Punjab's darkest chapters in the 1990s, when civilians allegedly disappeared and were cremated without their families being informed. Referring to the case, Diljit said, "The incident took place in 1995 and they didn't let people talk about it then. It is happening even today. This is too much. I'm a little sad. We're still standing there; this is 2026."
He also spoke about the difficulties the film faced from the start. "Our shooting was stopped for 10-15 years. It took us 1.5 years to start the film. After the edit, the film was stuck for four years. I was with the film for two years; Honey paaji gave the film six years," he said.
An earlier video of the 42-year-old singer-actor interacting with fans went viral following the film's removal from Zee5. During the livestream, Diljit said he had feared that Satluj might be taken down from the platform by Monday, but added that by then, many people would have already downloaded it. He remarked that there was nothing to worry about and said those trying to stop the film could continue their efforts.
The film, originally titled Punjab '95, was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification in 2022 but had not received a clearance certificate to date. The filmmakers had earlier alleged that the CBFC had sought 127 cuts. The film was also scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, but that screening was cancelled after objections were reportedly raised by Indian authorities.
On Friday, July 3, Satluj was released on Zee5 without promotion. As critics and viewers praised the film, it was removed from the platform without prior notice. Zee5 later said it stood by the film, but did not give the exact reason for the removal, saying only that, "in light of current developments", the film was unavailable for streaming. Diljit's response focused on the film reaching audiences despite that setback, and on viewers continuing to circulate it after its brief release online.
Directed by Honey Trehan, the film also stars Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in important roles.
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh has reacted after his film Satluj was removed from Zee5 just two days after its India release. Speaking during an Instagram Live on Monday, the actor thanked viewers for supporting the film despite its brief availability and urged those who had already watched and downloaded it to share it with others. Reiterating that "once something is online, it can't be erased," Diljit also reflected on the film's turbulent journey and the story it set out to tell.
He urged those who had watched and downloaded the film to share it with others who had not yet seen it, while also speaking about the film's journey, its subject, and the obstacles it faced before release.
"I came live on Instagram to thank people for watching Satluj. What I had feared actually happened. I thought the film would be taken down by Monday, but it happened sooner than expected. That's why we didn't promote the film. It was best to release the film online without any promotion. Today's youth is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra. Every home is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra," Diljit said. He added, "You can trouble me as much as you want. I am with Punjab till the day I die."
Diljit said he was relieved that the film had finally reached viewers. "But I'm happy and relieved that the film finally reached the audience. Many people have already downloaded it. Once anything lands online, it never gets deleted. I saw a video from Rajasthan where people are watching the film; I felt very happy. Please show it to your friends and everyone around you," he said.
Take a look at the video:
Satluj is based on one of Punjab's darkest chapters in the 1990s, when civilians allegedly disappeared and were cremated without their families being informed. Referring to the case, Diljit said, "The incident took place in 1995 and they didn't let people talk about it then. It is happening even today. This is too much. I'm a little sad. We're still standing there; this is 2026."
He also spoke about the difficulties the film faced from the start. "Our shooting was stopped for 10-15 years. It took us 1.5 years to start the film. After the edit, the film was stuck for four years. I was with the film for two years; Honey paaji gave the film six years," he said.
An earlier video of the 42-year-old singer-actor interacting with fans went viral following the film's removal from Zee5. During the livestream, Diljit said he had feared that Satluj might be taken down from the platform by Monday, but added that by then, many people would have already downloaded it. He remarked that there was nothing to worry about and said those trying to stop the film could continue their efforts.
The film, originally titled Punjab '95, was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification in 2022 but had not received a clearance certificate to date. The filmmakers had earlier alleged that the CBFC had sought 127 cuts. The film was also scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, but that screening was cancelled after objections were reportedly raised by Indian authorities.
On Friday, July 3, Satluj was released on Zee5 without promotion. As critics and viewers praised the film, it was removed from the platform without prior notice. Zee5 later said it stood by the film, but did not give the exact reason for the removal, saying only that, "in light of current developments", the film was unavailable for streaming. Diljit's response focused on the film reaching audiences despite that setback, and on viewers continuing to circulate it after its brief release online.
Directed by Honey Trehan, the film also stars Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in important roles.
