Summary
- Just hours after Diljit Dosanjh’s controversial film Satluj was taken off from Zee5, the actor-singer took to Instagram Live to urge fans to watch the film through downloaded copies, openly daring authorities to try and erase it from the internet.
- NDTV, citing government sources, reported that the decision was described as a deliberate one, with certain scenes said to carry content that “can be used against India.” In a fresh Instagram Live session, Diljit spoke candidly about the long struggle to release the film in India, the reasons behind its denied theatrical release, and how the team had anticipated its removal from the streaming platform within days, also the reason why they chose the low-profile release strategy in the first place.
- Diljit also took a defiant tone toward authorities, essentially daring them to attempt a block now that the film was already widely downloaded, and suggesting that anyone who believes content can be fully removed from the internet is either misinformed or naive.
Just hours after Diljit Dosanjh’s controversial film Satluj was taken off from Zee5, the actor-singer took to Instagram Live to urge fans to watch the film through downloaded copies, openly daring authorities to try and erase it from the internet. He added that the government’s move was a no surprise, explaining that this was the reason why the makers had opted for a quiet, guerrilla-style release on a streaming platform without any promotional buildup.
Satluj began streaming on ZEE5 on Friday evening but was removed by Sunday evening, less than 48 hours later, despite generating largely positive reviews. The film is based on the life of the late human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who had investigated extra-judicial killings during the peak of militancy in Punjab. The project has faced an uphill battle for a theatrical release since 2023. Production house RSVP confirmed to SCREEN that the film’s removal came at the government’s request. NDTV, citing government sources, reported that the decision was described as a deliberate one, with certain scenes said to carry content that “can be used against India.”
In a fresh Instagram Live session, Diljit spoke candidly about the long struggle to release the film in India, the reasons behind its denied theatrical release, and how the team had anticipated its removal from the streaming platform within days, also the reason why they chose the low-profile release strategy in the first place. He also expressed gratitude to fans who managed to download the film before it disappeared from the platform, encouraging them to keep sharing the links so more people could watch it.
Despite the setback, Diljit expressed genuine happiness that Satluj managed to reach viewers digitally, even if only for a short window. He was glad that the film found its way into so many homes, adding that seeing the team’s hard work reach audiences meant a lot to him, and that he was grateful for how things unfolded. He congratulated his team for accomplishing what they had set out to do, and told fans the film was now theirs to watch in whatever way they chose.
Diljit went on to explain that keeping the release under wraps and dropping it without warning was the only viable strategy for getting the film out at all. He pointed out that even a two-day promotional heads-up would have been enough for authorities to block it before audiences got the chance to see it. He also mentioned coming across a video that morning showing the film being screened at a gurudwara.
He then looked back on the challenging shoot for Satluj, which took place more than five years ago, noting that the film only made it to streaming after a three-year censorship dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification. Diljit argued that attempting to suppress or ban a film only promotes more conversation around it, advising against such efforts since content that has already surfaced online can never truly be erased. He reflected on four years of ongoing struggle, observing that the same voices silenced years ago are still being silenced now.
He further recalled that filming itself was fraught with obstacles, with production halting for stretches of eight to ten days on multiple occasions, and even facing interference from within their own circles. He offered heartfelt praise for director Honey Trehan, crediting him for devoting himself entirely to the project, and expressed hope that the film would eventually return to Zee5, stressing that reaching audiences mattered more to him than box office or revenue.
When fans began sharing that they’d downloaded Satluj before its removal, a pleased Diljit responded that he had already hinted this would happen and encouraged people to pay closer attention to his cues going forward. He again praised Honey Trehan’s dedication, calling the film a gift to audiences and urging fans to thank the director whenever they got the chance.
Diljit also took a defiant tone toward authorities, essentially daring them to attempt a block now that the film was already widely downloaded, and suggesting that anyone who believes content can be fully removed from the internet is either misinformed or naive.
Interestingly, Diljit had already hinted at the timeline for his film’s fate. In an earlier Instagram Live, he had encouraged audiences to watch it quickly, warning that it would not stay on the streaming platform for long.
When Zee5 removed the film on Sunday evening, the platform posted a statement on Instagram noting that, given recent developments, Satluj would remain unavailable in India until further notice, while adding that they remained committed to pursuing proper legal channels to bring the film back to viewers as soon as possible. The film had finally streamed on ZEE5 without any edits after a three-year censorship standoff, with the only change being its title, shifted from Punjab ’95 to Satluj.
The controversy traces back to 2023, when the film was forced to withdraw from the Toronto International Film Festival just days after its premiere there was announced. Its Indian release was also stalled by the CBFC, which insisted on 127 cuts before granting certification despite the fact that festival premieres abroad do not legally require CBFC clearance. Those demanded cuts included changing the title and removing every reference to Punjab.
In an interview with SCREEN last year, director Honey Trehan explained that he had no objection to cuts in general, saying he would happily make even 150 changes if they came through a legitimate court order. However, he noted that when those objecting are government figures or people in power citing political discomfort, the reasoning becomes purely subjective. He expressed hope that his creative freedom would be respected, admitting that such protection feels increasingly rare today, and suggested the film’s real issue may be that it does not align with the interests of the current government, despite not being propaganda.
Satluj centers on the mysterious disappearance of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the extrajudicial killings and secret cremations of over 25,000 people in Punjab during the 1990s. Following a CBI investigation, several police officers were sentenced to life in prison for his abduction and murder.
The film is co-produced by RSVP Movies and Macguffin Pictures, the production house run by Honey Trehan and Abhishek Chaubey. Alongside Diljit Dosanjh, the cast includes Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
