Days after its launch on Zee5 India, Satlujpreviously titled Punjab 95He was It has been taken down from the streaming platform Sunday. The film was paused in India amid positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, but also criticism from political leaders.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal criticized the move, saying he was “shocked and saddened” by the removal of the film from Zee5. He added that it is not possible to remain silent about a “powerful” film that shows the “painful history of Punjab.”
Badal wrote to
“This is not just censorship – it is an assault on our collective memory, truth and freedom of expression. I strongly condemn this move. Punjab deserves to confront its past with honesty, not repression.”
Bathinda district MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also criticized the move, saying: “Such actions cannot hide that dark era in Punjab when the Congress government kidnapped and killed our youth.”
“It is extremely unfortunate that the film ‘Satluj’, which depicts the life of martyr Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, has been removed from Zee’s platform in India. Bhai Khalra championed the cause of unidentified bodies, challenged the government, and ultimately embraced martyrdom,” she said in a post on X.
“I strongly condemn this decision and demand that the ban on the film be lifted.”
“Stand firm by her,” Zee 5 says after the takedown.
The OTT platform issued a statement after removing the film, saying that they “strongly stand by the film” despite its removal due to “current developments”.
“At Zee 5, we stand strongly by Satluj and the creative vision behind her. We believe that powerful storytelling has the power to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We are committed to supporting authentic and meaningful narratives,” the platform said in a statement.
Read also: Harbhajan Singh reviews Diljit Dosanjh and Honey Trehan’s Satluj: ‘The truth cannot remain buried’
“In light of the current developments, Satluj will not be available in India until further notice. We are committed to exploring all appropriate avenues through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.” They ended the note with the phrase: “Our commitment to creators and stories told with conviction, artistic integrity, and purpose is unwavering.”
The Honey Trehan-directed film was released without any cuts on Friday on the platform after being under censorship for more than three years. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reportedly requested an unprecedented cut of 127, causing delays in getting clearance from the censor board and forcing filmmakers to postpone planned releases.
Originally titled “Punjab 95“, the film was scheduled to release without any cuts on February 7, except in India. However, the release did not happen.
“It will be deleted, you can download it,” says Diljit.
The film’s lead actor, Diljit Dosanjh, seems to have anticipated the move. In an Instagram Live with his fans on Saturday, Dosanjh, when asked if the film would be removed, said, “Today is Saturday. I feel it can be removed by Monday. But don’t worry, you can download it.”
After the film’s release on Zee 5, the actor said on Instagram: “Finally after 4 years of fighting.. SATLUJ #Panjab95 released on @zee5 Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra Je No Lakh Lak Parnam (Folded Hands Emoji) (Million Tributes to Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra).”
“Mai Aksar Team Nu Pushda Rehnda C Ke Eh Film Kadey v Ni Augi? Asi Apni Kahani Nhi Das Sakde? Khalra Saab Di Avaaz Nu 1995 ch v Dabaa Dita Geya.. Te Aj V Ona Di Avaaz Nu Dabaa Rahe Aa.. Asi Kithey Khadey An? Kang Bhaji Always Mainu Kehnde c Samaa Badluga film Ek Din added Zarur released Hogi Shukur Shukur Bas Shukur.
Read also: Diljit Dosanjh claims Satluj is ‘one of the most difficult films’ of his career: ‘I had to take a week off to process’
The film is not only facing censorship in India but internationally as well. Satluj It was scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, but was pulled from the schedule just one day before its release. At the time, Variety quoted a source as saying that “political forces were at play,” though the festival did not officially announce the reason for the last-minute decision.
About the movie
Satluj The film tells the story of human rights activist, Jaswant Singh Khalra (played by Dosanjh), who investigated the burning of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab over a 10-year period from 1984 to 1994, before disappearing in 1995.
The film also stars Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljeet Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vaidya Ulyan in the lead roles.
