Snehashish roy
Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj, originally titled Panjab 95, has once again become the subject of national attention after it was removed from streaming platform ZEE5 in India just days after its surprise digital release. The film, directed by Honey Trehan, had remained unreleased for nearly four years following objections raised during the certification process, before making an unannounced OTT debut on July 3. It was subsequently taken down from the platform in India, reigniting discussions over the film’s prolonged journey to audiences.
The biographical drama is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who documented and exposed alleged cases of illegal cremations and enforced disappearances in Punjab during the militancy period of the 1990s. The sensitive subject matter placed the film under scrutiny during the certification process, resulting in repeated delays and disagreements between the filmmakers and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
According to reports, the CBFC had recommended extensive modifications to the film before granting certification. Earlier reports suggested that the board had proposed more than 120 cuts, a move the makers believed would significantly alter the narrative and dilute the story being told. As a result, the film remained unreleased despite being completed several years ago.
After years of uncertainty, the makers opted to bypass a theatrical release and launched the film directly on ZEE5 under the new title Satluj. The digital release was reportedly planned in secrecy, with only a handful of people aware of the launch beforehand. Director Honey Trehan later revealed that the strategy was intended to ensure the film reached audiences after years of delays.
However, the film remained available for only a short period before disappearing from the platform in India. ZEE5 informed viewers that the title had been removed because of recent developments and stated that efforts were underway to restore it. The platform has not announced when or whether the film will return for Indian audiences.
Reports later indicated that the film was withdrawn following intervention by the government over national security concerns. According to sources cited in multiple reports, authorities believed certain portions of the film could be misused by anti-India elements, leading to its removal from the streaming platform in India. No official public order detailing the reasons has been released.
The controversy has also prompted responses from members of the film’s creative team. Writer Niren Bhatt questioned the prolonged delay in releasing the project and expressed disappointment over its removal after finally reaching viewers. Director Honey Trehan also spoke about the challenges of bringing the film to audiences, describing its release as the culmination of years of effort by the cast and crew.
Satluj stars Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role alongside Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljeet Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan. Produced by RSVP Movies in association with MacGuffin Pictures, the film traces Khalra’s efforts to investigate alleged human rights violations before his disappearance in 1995.
The removal of Satluj from ZEE5 has added another chapter to the film’s already turbulent release history. While the makers continue to await clarity on its future in India, the project remains one of the most high-profile films in recent years to face an extended certification battle followed by an abrupt withdrawal from a streaming platform.