Satluj actor Suvinder on people holding community screenings: They are doing seva
Actor Suvinder Vicky said people across Punjab are organising screenings of Satluj after its removal from ZEE5. He said the public response has outweighed the controversy and deeply moved the film's team.
Even after being taken down from ZEE5 within 48 hours of its release, Satluj continues to find its audience in unexpected ways. According to actor Suvinder Vicky, who plays the film's antagonist SSP Surjit Singh Sugga, viewers across Punjab are organising community screenings, treating the film "like seva." While the Honey Trehan directorial remains at the centre of a controversy over its removal, Suvinder said the overwhelming public response has been the film's biggest reward.
Speaking to NDTV, Suvinder said he has been moved by the lengths audiences have gone to ensure the film is seen.
"People are treating it like seva. Many had already downloaded it before it was taken down, and now they're sharing it with others. I have heard that people are taking projectors to villages across Punjab and organising screenings. Just as people do seva during Guruparab by serving langar or chabeel, they are treating this film the same way. That has truly touched my heart," he said.
The actor also praised Diljit Dosanjh's discipline and focus on set, describing him as a supportive colleague and "a true artist" whose commitment to his craft, he believed, would always lead to success.
Suvinder recalled that the atmosphere during filming was unusually quiet because both he and Diljit preferred to stay immersed in their respective roles instead of chatting between takes. He said they avoided small talk on set, adding that Diljit did not like unnecessary distractions because he wanted to remain in character. Suvinder shared that he felt the same way, as he too needed to stay in character, which made the set a remarkably quiet place.
Among the most physically demanding portions of the film, Suvinder said, were the torture sequences between his character, Sugga, and Jaswant Singh Khalra, played by Diljit Dosanjh. He recalled one particular scene in which Diljit remained suspended while Suvinder repeatedly threw pamphlets at him during the interrogation, with each pamphlet needing to land precisely on his face.
Suvinder admitted the sequence took multiple retakes because getting the timing right proved difficult. He said he felt immense pressure while performing opposite Diljit and could not afford to make mistakes. The pamphlets often missed their intended spot, landing on Diljit's neck or elsewhere, forcing the team to repeat the shot several times.
After the repeated misses, Suvinder apologised to Diljit. However, he said the actor simply smiled and reassured him with, "Bhaiji, koi gal ni (It's okay, don't worry"). Recalling the moment, Suvinder described Diljit as incredibly patient and humble, adding that he considered him "God's child."
Speaking about the obstacles Satluj has continued to face despite finally releasing after years of delay, Suvinder said he did not want to speculate on the reasons behind them. He added that perhaps those responsible for stopping the film should watch it first, as they might realise there was nothing in it that warranted being blocked.
The actor also revealed that he had initially feared audiences would struggle to separate him from Sugga, a character inspired by a real-life police officer once infamously referred to as the "Butcher" of the region. However, he said the response was overwhelmingly positive.
According to Suvinder, no one reacted with abuse or hostility, and viewers instead appreciated his performance, which he described as the biggest compliment he could have received.
All about the controversy
Completed nearly four years ago, Satluj has faced a long and contentious path to release. Originally submitted to the CBFC under the title Ghallughara, the film was reportedly cleared with 21 cuts before being asked to change its title to Punjab '95.
After legal proceedings, the revising committee allegedly proposed 127 cuts and sought changes including the name of protagonist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The makers refused, delaying the film's India release for years.
The film eventually premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 in its uncut form but was removed within 48 hours after the Centre directed the platform to take it down, citing security concerns under the Information Technology (IT) Rules.
The move drew objections from the SGPC and several Punjab-based political parties, while Diljit Dosanjh later said the takedown was "bound to happen."
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj stars Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
Even after being taken down from ZEE5 within 48 hours of its release, Satluj continues to find its audience in unexpected ways. According to actor Suvinder Vicky, who plays the film's antagonist SSP Surjit Singh Sugga, viewers across Punjab are organising community screenings, treating the film "like seva." While the Honey Trehan directorial remains at the centre of a controversy over its removal, Suvinder said the overwhelming public response has been the film's biggest reward.
Speaking to NDTV, Suvinder said he has been moved by the lengths audiences have gone to ensure the film is seen.
"People are treating it like seva. Many had already downloaded it before it was taken down, and now they're sharing it with others. I have heard that people are taking projectors to villages across Punjab and organising screenings. Just as people do seva during Guruparab by serving langar or chabeel, they are treating this film the same way. That has truly touched my heart," he said.
The actor also praised Diljit Dosanjh's discipline and focus on set, describing him as a supportive colleague and "a true artist" whose commitment to his craft, he believed, would always lead to success.
Suvinder recalled that the atmosphere during filming was unusually quiet because both he and Diljit preferred to stay immersed in their respective roles instead of chatting between takes. He said they avoided small talk on set, adding that Diljit did not like unnecessary distractions because he wanted to remain in character. Suvinder shared that he felt the same way, as he too needed to stay in character, which made the set a remarkably quiet place.
Among the most physically demanding portions of the film, Suvinder said, were the torture sequences between his character, Sugga, and Jaswant Singh Khalra, played by Diljit Dosanjh. He recalled one particular scene in which Diljit remained suspended while Suvinder repeatedly threw pamphlets at him during the interrogation, with each pamphlet needing to land precisely on his face.
Suvinder admitted the sequence took multiple retakes because getting the timing right proved difficult. He said he felt immense pressure while performing opposite Diljit and could not afford to make mistakes. The pamphlets often missed their intended spot, landing on Diljit's neck or elsewhere, forcing the team to repeat the shot several times.
After the repeated misses, Suvinder apologised to Diljit. However, he said the actor simply smiled and reassured him with, "Bhaiji, koi gal ni (It's okay, don't worry"). Recalling the moment, Suvinder described Diljit as incredibly patient and humble, adding that he considered him "God's child."
Speaking about the obstacles Satluj has continued to face despite finally releasing after years of delay, Suvinder said he did not want to speculate on the reasons behind them. He added that perhaps those responsible for stopping the film should watch it first, as they might realise there was nothing in it that warranted being blocked.
The actor also revealed that he had initially feared audiences would struggle to separate him from Sugga, a character inspired by a real-life police officer once infamously referred to as the "Butcher" of the region. However, he said the response was overwhelmingly positive.
According to Suvinder, no one reacted with abuse or hostility, and viewers instead appreciated his performance, which he described as the biggest compliment he could have received.
All about the controversy
Completed nearly four years ago, Satluj has faced a long and contentious path to release. Originally submitted to the CBFC under the title Ghallughara, the film was reportedly cleared with 21 cuts before being asked to change its title to Punjab '95.
After legal proceedings, the revising committee allegedly proposed 127 cuts and sought changes including the name of protagonist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The makers refused, delaying the film's India release for years.
The film eventually premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 in its uncut form but was removed within 48 hours after the Centre directed the platform to take it down, citing security concerns under the Information Technology (IT) Rules.
The move drew objections from the SGPC and several Punjab-based political parties, while Diljit Dosanjh later said the takedown was "bound to happen."
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj stars Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
