Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj, previously titled Panjab 95, has been removed from streaming in India just days after its digital release, marking another chapter in the film’s prolonged journey through certification and release hurdles. The film had premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 after facing years of delays linked to certification issues.
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj is inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The project was originally announced as Ghallughara before being renamed Panjab 95 and finally released under the title Satluj. Throughout its journey, the film encountered repeated certification challenges from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), resulting in multiple postponements.
According to reports, the film’s theatrical release was stalled after the CBFC sought extensive modifications. While earlier reports cited demands for more than 120 cuts, the makers maintained that the changes would significantly alter the narrative. Eventually, the film skipped a theatrical release and debuted directly on OTT under a different title.
However, within days of its release, Satluj became unavailable for streaming in India. The platform informed viewers that the title had been removed because of “current developments” and stated that efforts were being made to restore the film’s availability in the country. No official timeline has been announced for its return.
The controversy surrounding the film stems from its subject matter. Satluj chronicles the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated and exposed alleged cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during Punjab’s insurgency period in the 1990s. The sensitive historical backdrop has remained central to discussions surrounding the film’s certification.
Following the removal of the film from the platform, Diljit Dosanjh reacted on social media, while director Honey Trehan also addressed the development. Trehan said the team was uncertain about when the film would again become available for audiences in India. Dosanjh described the film’s removal as another setback in its long release journey.
The film features 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, Satluj remains unavailable for streaming in India at present, while the platform continues to explore options regarding its restoration.