Satluj pulled from ZEE5 over security concerns, reveal government sources

The government directed OTT platform ZEE5 to take down the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj citing “security concerns” and “obligations” under IT Rules 2021, government sources said on Monday, even as political parties in Punjab and the apex Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) pushed for its release, and the actor-singer asked people to watch it wherever and however they can. Released uncut on ZEE5 on Friday, the film was removed from the platform on Sunday evening.

A government official said that the makers of Satluj had applied for a certificate with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 under its original title Punjab '95, but they did not accept the 127 cuts suggested by the censor board and withheld its release.

"They kept sitting on the suggested cuts and eventually released the movie quietly on OTT with a new title. OTT does not come under the CBFC's jurisdiction. When the matter came to the government's notice, Zee was asked to take it (the film) down. The direction was given due to security concerns. The OTT platform was asked to follow the obligations under intermediary guidelines. If they want to release the film in theatres and OTT, they should follow the laid-down norms," the official told PTI.

It is to be noted that OTT content does not come under the purview of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and is regulated under the provisions of Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

What is Satluj all about?

Satluj, which details the life of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra in Punjab in the turbulent 1990s when the state was reeling under terrorism, was stuck with the censors for more than three years. The Honey Trehan-directed film delves into the life of Khalra who investigated the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab during a 10-year period from 1984 to 1994. He was abducted in 1995 and was never seen after that.

Several police officials were subsequently convicted in connection with his abduction and murder.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had recommended up to 127 cuts in Satluj, earlier titled Panjab '95. The makers, while making attempts to understand the reasons behind the modifications, were met with silence. After waiting for three years, the makers went ahead with the OTT release.

Why was it taken down from ZEE5?

On Sunday, Zee5 announced its decision to remove the film from its platform for the Indian audiences. In a statement, they wrote the film's streaming 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. However, Diljit Dosanjh had predicted its removal before it could drop on ZEE5.

ZEE5 has not stated whether the present unavailability is linked to the earlier certification issues, and has only referred to ‘current developments’.

Given the politically sensitive subject, the film ran into prolonged certification hurdles. The makers alleged that the demands went far beyond routine edits.

In an interview with The New Indian Express, director Honey Trehan said, "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."

ZEE5 appeals to people not to turn to piracy

Hours after taking down Satluj from its platform, ZEE5 appealed to its viewers not to take to piracy after copies and illegal links of Satluj began circulating on social media. The platform also assured that they are doing their best to give the film an appropriate avenue.

"We are hopeful and doing everything we can. Please do not support piracy. We remain committed to exploring every possible avenue to bring Satluj back to you (sic)," the statement read.

However, Diljit Dosanjh, during his Instagram Live session on Monday, asked his viewers who have downloaded the movie to share it with others. Reiterating that "once something is online, it can't be erased," the actor also reflected on the film's turbulent journey and the story it set out to tell.