After years of censorship delays, Diljit Dosanjh's Punjab '95 streams as Satluj

After years of delays and a prolonged battle with the censor board, actor Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj Punjab ’95 has finally been released, albeit with a new title. The film, titled Satluj, is now available on streaming. It is inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab during the militancy era.

Satluj, released on ZEE5 remained stuck with the Central Board of Film Certification for years after it was reportedly asked to undergo multiple cuts. Reports suggested the board sought over 100 edits, including changes to the film’s title, references to Punjab, and the identity of the real-life protagonist. Director Honey Trehan and the producers maintained that the film was based on documented events, leading to a prolonged stalemate that repeatedly delayed its release. The controversy also impacted its festival run, with the film being withdrawn ahead of its scheduled premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Satluj follows the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and his relentless pursuit of justice during one of Punjab’s darkest chapters. Featuring Diljit in the lead alongside actors Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, the film is positioned as a hard-hitting social drama exploring courage, accountability and the human cost of conflict.

Earlier, an intense poster of the film featuring Diljit as Jaswant Singh Khalra was released. Satluj is based on the real-life story of Khalra, who uncovered extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the 1980s and 90s. The film, however, has been mired in controversy, with objections by the censor board, reflecting the sensitivity surrounding its political themes.

The film is backed by RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures and is co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Honey Trehan and Abhishek Chaubey.