Indian actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh’s film Satluj, formerly titled Punjab 95, has been removed from the ZEE5 streaming platform just days after its release, following reported objections from Indian authorities over its content.
The film premiered on July 3 under its new title but was later taken down pending a final administrative review. ZEE5 said the film would remain unavailable until further directions are issued by the authorities.
Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who documented alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s. Reports suggest authorities raised concerns that parts of the film could be used to promote what they described as an “anti-India narrative.”
The controversy began well before the film’s release. According to the filmmakers, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded 127 cuts after the film was submitted in 2022, delaying its theatrical release for years. The producers eventually opted for an OTT release, where theatrical certification requirements do not apply in the same way.
Reacting to the film’s removal, Diljit Dosanjh said he wanted to bring one of Punjab’s most difficult chapters to the world and vowed to continue standing with Punjab.
The decision has also drawn criticism from political leaders. Aam Aadmi Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang described the removal without a clear explanation as disappointing, arguing that historical events should be debated rather than censored. Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira also criticised the move, saying the film highlights important issues related to human rights and the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra.
The removal of Satluj has renewed debate over freedom of expression and the portrayal of sensitive historical events related to Punjab and the Sikh community in India.
Also read: India’s poor flood control exposed: Floodwater enters Amitabh Bachchan’s home
