The film Satluj, directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh, is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. It was initially released on ZEE5 without any edits. However, the film was taken off the platform just two days after its launch.
So, why was it removed in India? Was it due to the film’s subject?
Jaswant Singh Khalra was initially a banker who later became a human rights advocate. In the 1990s, he investigated claims that more than 25,000 people were unlawfully killed and cremated in Punjab between 1984 and 1994, during a period of insurgency. There are indications that authorities worried the film could incite anti-India sentiment, although no official reason has been given for the removal.
The Making of the Film
The film was first submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) under the title Ghallughara, which was later changed to Punjab 95. The CBFC reportedly suggested 127 changes, including removing Khalra’s name from the credits to avoid direct association with him.The filmmakers were also asked to omit the word “Punjab” from “Punjab Police,” remove images of the Indian flag, and mute certain religious chants.
Eventually, the filmmakers decided not to pursue a theatrical release. Honey Trehan, director and one of the producers, stated, “If they had asked for even one cut, I wouldn’t have let it be released. Both Diljit and I had decided that if there was even one edit, we’d take our names off the project. The version on ZEE5 is exactly the way we intended it.”
Did Diljit Dosanjh fear this would happen?
The actor said, “It was expected. I thought the film would be taken down by Monday, but it happened before that. That’s also the reason why we didn’t promote the film. It was in the film’s best interest to release it online without promotions. I’m glad that people who could watch the film, watched it. Those who could download it, have downloaded it. Every home is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra. The voice that was silenced in 1995 is being silenced in 2026 too.”
What did ZEE5 say?
In a statement, ZEE5 said:
“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. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film.Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life. At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact.”
The Effects of the Removal
The removal of the film is likely to lead to increased piracy, which could impact the film’s revenue potential. There are also reports that downloads of the ZEE5 app rose notably outside of India after the film’s release.
Online piracy is no longer a peripheral issue. It now affects the mainstream, with an estimated 10% of industry revenue projected to be lost between 2025 and 2029.
