What was supposed to be Diljit Dosanjh's long-awaited comeback turned into another controversy within 48 hours. Here's why Satluj was pulled from OTT and the true story that made it one of India's most debated films.
Diljit Dosanjh's long-delayed film ‘Satluj’ has once again found itself at the centre of controversy. After years of battling certification issues, title changes, and release delays, the film finally premiered on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026 only to be removed from the platform in India less than 48 hours later.
The film, directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh as slain human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, remains available on ZEE5 Global outside India, while its future domestic release remains uncertain.
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Why was ‘Satluj’ removed from ZEE5?
On July 5, ZEE5 announced that ‘Satluj’ had been taken down from its Indian catalogue, citing only "current developments" without elaborating further.
In its official statement, the streaming platform 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."
The platform also thanked viewers for supporting the film and reaffirmed its faith in the filmmakers' vision, calling ‘Satluj’ a powerful story capable of leaving a lasting impact.
No official reason has yet been provided for the removal.
What is ‘Satluj’ about?
Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Movies in association with MacGuffin Pictures, ‘Satluj’ is a biographical drama inspired by the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, one of Punjab's best-known human rights activists.
The film follows Khalra's investigation into the alleged enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and secret cremations that occurred during Punjab's militancy years in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
According to the film, thousands of unidentified bodies were allegedly cremated without informing families. Diljit Dosanjh's character speaks of around 25,000 unidentified bodies allegedly being illegally cremated, while also referring to the killing of nearly 2,000 police personnel during the period for refusing to cooperate in counter-insurgency operations.
The story explores Khalra's determination to document these allegations despite mounting threats to his own life.
Why has the film been controversial from the beginning?
The controversy surrounding ‘Satluj’ predates its release by several years.
The project was first titled ‘Ghallughara’, a Punjabi term historically associated with the massacres of Sikhs in 1746, 1762, and later used in reference to the violence of 1984.
When the filmmakers approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in late 2022, the board reportedly cleared the film with 21 cuts but directed the makers to change the title.
The film was subsequently renamed ‘Punjab '95’.
The certification dispute
As discussions with the CBFC continued, reports suggested that the required edits eventually increased dramatically from the initial 21 cuts to around 120–127 cuts, depending on various reports.
The producers challenged the certification order before the Bombay High Court but later withdrew the case.
Director Honey Trehan and Diljit Dosanjh consistently maintained that they did not want to release the film in a compromised form.
The prolonged certification battle resulted in multiple postponements, including the cancellation of its planned theatrical release in India.
Toronto International Film Festival withdrawal
The controversy also affected the film internationally.
‘Punjab '95’ had been selected for a gala premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
However, the screening was withdrawn before the festival began. Reports at the time suggested that political considerations influenced the decision, although no official explanation was provided.
From ‘Punjab '95’ to ‘Satluj’
When the film finally arrived on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, audiences noticed another significant change.
The title had once again been altered from ‘Punjab '95’ to ‘Satluj’, named after the river flowing through Punjab.
Director Honey Trehan later confirmed that the makers could not retain the earlier title.
Importantly, he maintained that although the title had changed, the film itself had not been compromised.
"From the very beginning, our intention was to tell this story with honesty, sensitivity and without compromise. Satluj is not just the story of one individual; it is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity."
Diljit Dosanjh also reassured audiences that the streaming version contained no cuts, saying it was identical to the version he had previously watched.
He remarked that he would not have promoted the film had even a single cut been made.
Diljit Dosanjh had predicted the takedown
Interestingly, Diljit hinted that the film's availability in India might be short-lived even before it was removed.
During an Instagram Live session following the release, he told fans: "Today is Saturday. I feel it could be taken down by Monday. But no worries, you download it."
His prediction proved accurate when ZEE5 removed the film within two days.
After the takedown, Diljit shared a clip from the movie on social media along with the message, "Satluj naal vi ohi hoyea jo Khalra Saab naal hoyea."
The statement suggested that the film had faced obstacles similar to those encountered by Jaswant Singh Khalra in his pursuit of justice.
Critical reception
Despite its brief availability, ‘Satluj’ received widespread praise from viewers and critics.
Reviewers commended Honey Trehan's restrained storytelling and Diljit Dosanjh's emotionally layered performance as Jaswant Singh Khalra.
Writing in The Hindu, critic Anuj Kumar described the film as more than a period drama, calling it a timely reminder about the importance of human rights and the courage required to confront systemic injustice.
Political reactions
Following the film's removal, Trinamool Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale publicly criticised the decision.
He revealed that he had written to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging the government to facilitate the film's return.
Gokhale argued that the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra and the victims whose disappearances he investigated deserved to be remembered rather than suppressed.
Why is ‘Satluj’ significant?
Beyond the controversy, Satluj marks one of Diljit Dosanjh's most challenging performances. The actor has said portraying Jaswant Singh Khalra affected him deeply and required time to emotionally recover after filming.
The film has also become symbolic of the larger debate surrounding artistic freedom, censorship and the portrayal of politically sensitive chapters in Indian history.
Published: 06 Jul 2026, 11:31 am IST
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