Infuriating: Ranvir Shorey, Sanjay Gupta and others slam Satluj's removal from OTT

Director Honey Trehan's Satluj, featuring actor Diljit Dosanjh, has been taken off ZEE5 in India within days of its long-delayed release. The film’s removal has drawn reactions from actor Ranvir Shorey and directors Sanjay Gupta and Onir, expressed disappointment after the development.

While reacting to the film being pulled down, Ranvir wrote, “Utterly disappointing to hear Satluj had been pulled! Have been waiting to watch it! For a land that has an ancient history and heritage of learning from stories, I don't know why we keep emboldening a culture of burying them (sic).”

Director Sanjay Gupta, while reacting to the film being removed from Zee5, wrote, "More than movie the way SATLUJ has been pulled is gaining momentum (sic)."

Onir, who had earlier praised the film after watching it, shared ZEE5’s official statement and wrote, “Very Sad.” He added, “Watched only once and then this thing happened. Infuriating and very very unfortunate (sic).”

Standup comedian and writer Varun Grover also reacted to the ban and wrote, "Whaaaat why (sic)." Veteran actor Soni Razdan wrote, "Oh noooo (sad emoji) (sic)."

After the release, ZEE5 issued a statement thanking viewers for their response to Satluj. The platform said the public reception had been “truly overwhelming” and thanked those who subscribed, watched and supported the project. Reaffirming its support for the film’s creative direction, ZEE5 said it stood firmly by the project and its vision, adding, “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).”

Addressing the film’s sudden removal, the platform said Satluj would be temporarily unavailable to stream in India until further notice. ZEE5 did not specify the reason for the move, but said it was exploring “every appropriate avenue through due process” to make the film accessible again as quickly as possible. The platform also said its commitment to creators and to stories told with “conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering”.

Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, played by Diljit Dosanjh. Khalra exposed the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies during Punjab’s militancy era in the 1980s and 1990s. He documented evidence suggesting that thousands of people who had allegedly disappeared during the insurgency were secretly cremated by the police without their families being informed.

Khalra’s investigation drew international attention to alleged human rights violations during one of Punjab’s most turbulent periods. In 1995, he was abducted and later killed, and several police officials were subsequently convicted in connection with his abduction and murder. Given the politically sensitive subject, the film faced prolonged certification hurdles, with the Central Board of Film Certification seeking extensive changes before granting clearance. The makers had alleged that the demands went far beyond routine edits.

Apart from Dosanjh, Satluj also features actors Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in key roles.