Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj Removed From ZEE5, Sparks Political Row In Punjab
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The removal of Diljit Dosanjh’s-starrer Satluj from OTT platform ZEE5 in India, just two days after its release, has triggered a political controversy in Punjab.
The film is based on the struggle of an activist trying to expose alleged extrajudicial killings during the period when militancy was at its peak in Punjab. The issue has drawn support from the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Shiromani Akali Dal, SGPC Back The Film
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the decision to remove the film and shared a strong reaction on X.
“Shocked and saddened by the arbitrary removal of Satluj from ZEE5 in India. A powerful film that courageously unveils Punjab’s painful history and honours the supreme sacrifice of S. Jaswant Singh Ji Khalra cannot be silenced this way. This is not mere censorship - it is an assault on our collective memory, truth, and freedom of expression.”
He further added, “Punjab deserves to confront its past with honesty, not suppression.”
SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan appealed to the people of Punjab, especially the youth, to watch the film. He said Satluj attempts to present the events of a difficult period in the state’s history and shows how Jaswant Singh fought to expose alleged fake police encounters and disappearances.
Political Reactions Continue
Congress MP Tariq Anwar said the issue should not become a political controversy. He stated that although the Congress was in power in Punjab during that period, there was no need to politicise the matter if the film was based on facts.
AAP leader and Punjab minister Aman Arora said the film had been discussed for a long time, but many people were still unaware of its content. He said facts from history should be made public, but they must be presented in a way that does not affect brotherhood and unity in the future.
Earlier, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, had also expressed support for the film. He said unlawful killings were wrong and those responsible for fake encounters should face punishment under the law.
Why was Satluj taken down?
According to reports citing sources, the decision to remove Satluj from ZEE5 came after a detailed review of the film. Authorities reportedly raised concerns that certain portions of the movie could potentially be misused by anti-India elements.
Sources also said the film was originally submitted for a theatrical release but was not cleared in the form in which it was presented. It was later released directly on the OTT platform instead of being released in cinemas.
Following its digital release, authorities reportedly reviewed parts of the film and expressed concerns that some scenes could be misused by anti-India elements, leading to its removal from the platform.
ZEE5 Issues Statement
ZEE5 said it continues to stand by Satluj and its creative vision while confirming that the film would remain unavailable in India until further notice.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the platform said, “At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe that powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives. In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.”
Diljit Dosanjh Reacts
Actor Diljit Dosanjh shared his first reaction through a cryptic Instagram post featuring a still from the film.
“I challenge the darkness,” he wrote.
In Punjabi, he added, “The same thing that happened to Satluj also happened to Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra.”
Who Was Jaswant Singh Khalra?
Satluj, originally titled Punjab 95, is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist known for exposing cases of alleged killings and secret cremations. Born in 1952 in Khalra village in Amritsar, he initially worked as a bank employee before becoming a full-time activist.
The film was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 but remained pending for three years. According to the makers, the CBFC had sought 127 cuts. It was eventually released on ZEE5 under the title Satluj on July 3 and received positive reviews.
