Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' Pulled from ZEE5, Finds New Life in Village Screenings

Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj', a biographical drama based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was controversially removed from the streaming platform ZEE5 in India just 48 hours after its quiet release on July 3, 2026. The film, which chronicles Khalra's investigation into the alleged illegal cremations of thousands of unidentified bodies during the Punjab insurgency in the late 1980s and early 1990s, had faced significant censorship battles with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for years prior to its digital premiere. Originally titled 'Ghallughara' and later 'Punjab '95', the makers resisted numerous suggested cuts, reportedly over 120, and released the film in its uncut version on ZEE5. The Centre directed ZEE5 to take down 'Satluj' on July 5, 2026, citing "security concerns" and obligations under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Government sources indicated that certain portions of the film had the potential to be misused by anti-India forces and could be exploited to garner support for the pro-Khalistan movement, especially ahead of the Punjab elections. This intervention highlights the ongoing tension between artistic freedom and perceived national security interests. Despite its removal from ZEE5, the film has found a remarkable 'second life' through widespread community screenings in Punjab villages and gurdwaras, as reported by various media outlets. Actor Suvinder Vicky, who plays a significant role in 'Satluj', noted that people are treating these screenings as an act of 'seva' (selfless service), organizing viewings using projectors in village settings. This grassroots movement has garnered support from prominent Sikh bodies, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), who are actively facilitating and promoting these alternative screenings across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Jammu. Posters for screenings in various gurdwaras, including in Jammu and Jaipur, have been circulating online. This unique distribution model bypasses traditional exhibition and online platforms, demonstrating a powerful public desire to access the film's narrative. The controversy has also led to legal action, with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) being filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 9, 2026. The petition seeks the restoration of 'Satluj' on ZEE5, arguing that its abrupt removal without a publicly disclosed legal basis violates the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and expression, as well as citizens' right to information. The PIL contends that the film, based on documented historical events and the life of a human rights defender, does not affect India's sovereignty or integrity nor aims to disrupt public order. Diljit Dosanjh himself reacted to the film's takedown, stating during an Instagram live session that he had anticipated such a move, which is why the team avoided extensive promotions to ensure its brief release. He expressed his commitment to Punjab and urged viewers to download the film for wider circulation, remarking on the ongoing struggle to discuss historical incidents from 1995. This statement, while highlighting the film's reach through unofficial channels, also raised questions about promoting piracy, though both producers and ZEE5 later discouraged it. The 'Satluj' controversy has thus ignited a broader national debate on censorship, artistic freedom, the state's power to regulate online content, and the public's right to engage with sensitive historical narratives, particularly those concerning human rights and state actions during turbulent periods. The film's plot centers on Jaswant Singh Khalra, a bank employee in Amritsar, who uncovers a pattern of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by the Punjab Police during the early 1990s. His relentless pursuit of truth, despite threats and surveillance, forms the core of the narrative, culminating in his own abduction and murder, for which several police personnel were later convicted. The film's critical reception has largely praised Diljit Dosanjh's performance and director Honey Trehan's portrayal of a sensitive and dark period in Punjab's history, focusing on memory and accountability.

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