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New Delhi, July 7
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh said he was not surprised by the removal of his film Satluj from ZEE5, noting he had expected the move after the film’s release in India. The film, directed by Honey Trehan and based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was released on the streaming platform on Friday without cuts, only to be withdrawn two days later.
Speaking during an Instagram Live session from the United States, where he is currently on tour, Dosanjh said he had anticipated that the film would be taken down once offices reopened on Monday. However, he said he was surprised that the decision came on Sunday evening instead.
According to Dosanjh, the makers deliberately chose not to promote the film before its release because they believed a promotional campaign could have led to an even earlier removal. He said he was satisfied that the film had reached viewers and that many people had watched or downloaded it before it became unavailable.
The actor said discussions among young audiences about the film had encouraged him. He also referred to a video showing Satluj being screened at a gurdwara, possibly in Rajasthan, and said he was happy that the story had reached people.
Dosanjh urged audiences to continue sharing and watching the film wherever possible, saying the team’s hard work had finally reached the public. He added that the message the makers intended to convey had been delivered successfully. He also remarked that attempts to stop the film would only make it more popular, adding that nothing truly disappears from the internet.
On Sunday night, Dosanjh shared on social media a scene from the film in which Jaswant Singh Khalra says, “I challenge the darkness,” shortly after the film was removed from the streaming platform. Earlier, ZEE5 announced that Satluj would remain unavailable in India until further notice. The platform said it was exploring all appropriate legal and procedural options to restore the film for Indian audiences.
The film traces the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab between 1984 and 1994 before disappearing in 1995. Originally titled Punjab ’95, the film remained caught in the censorship process for more than three years after the makers declined to accept the 127 cuts reportedly suggested by the Central Board of Film Certification. Produced by Honey Trehan, Abhishek Chaubey and Ronnie Screwvala under the banners of MacGuffin Pictures and RSVP, the film also features Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in key roles.
