Diljit Dosanjh Reacts to Ban of Satluj, Says I Already Knew This Would Happen
The film also stars Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh’s long-delayed film Satluj (originally titled Punjab '95) has been abruptly removed from the streaming platform ZEE5 in India, just two days after its July 3 release. The movie, which skipped theaters to debut digitally, was taken down without prior notice to the public, sparking widespread outrage and fresh discussions around censorship.
Following its sudden removal, Diljit Dosanjh hosted an Instagram Live session to thank his fans for their constant support. Anticipating the roadblock, Dosanjh had previously urged fans during a Saturday broadcast to download the movie and share it with others who hadn't seen it yet. He also posted a video on Instagram with the hashtag #ichallengethedarkness to express his stance.
Despite receiving critical acclaim and a strong reception from audiences during its brief streaming window, ZEE5 issued a statement confirming that the film will remain unavailable in India "until further notice," though they stated they are exploring legal avenues to bring it back.
The movie was completed nearly three years ago but was stuck with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The board reportedly demanded an unprecedented 127 cuts, including removing references to Punjab, changing the main character's real name, and altering the original title from Ghalughara to Punjab '95, and finally to Satluj. Political figures in Punjab have heavily condemned the ban. Leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) called the sudden removal an "assault on collective memory, truth, and freedom of expression," demanding that the film be reinstated.
Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures, Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the disappearance and mass cremation of thousands of unidentified youths in Punjab before mysteriously disappearing himself in 1995. The film also stars Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
