Diljit Dosanjh Discusses the Impact of 'Satluj' After ZEE5 Removal

Diljit Dosanjh has addressed the recent controversy surrounding his film 'Satluj', which was removed from ZEE5 shortly after its release. In a livestream, he shared insights about the film's journey, emphasizing that the creators fought independently to bring it to audiences. Despite its brief availability, Diljit expressed satisfaction that the film's message has resonated with viewers, leading to discussions and screenings in various community spaces. He firmly believes that 'Satluj' now belongs to the public and cannot be erased, highlighting the importance of its narrative in contemporary discourse.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 6, 2026, 16:14 IST

Diljit Dosanjh Addresses 'Satluj' Controversy

Actor Diljit Dosanjh has spoken out regarding the controversy surrounding his film Satluj, which was recently taken down from ZEE5 India. In a livestream session with fans, he shared that the film's creators fought tirelessly for years to present it to audiences without seeking assistance from Bollywood or the Punjabi film sector. He expressed contentment with the film's brief release, noting that its message has reached viewers and continues to resonate through downloads and community screenings. Diljit emphasized that the narrative of Satluj is now part of the public domain, making its influence irreversible.

Diljit Dosanjh on the Film's Promotion Strategy

During the livestream, Diljit revealed that the team intentionally avoided promoting Satluj prior to its release, fearing that advance announcements could hinder its reach. He highlighted that despite their extensive efforts over three to four years to get the film released, they did not seek help from Bollywood or the Punjabi film industry. He stated, “We’ve been fighting to get this film released for the last three to four years. We never went to anyone asking for support. I never asked anyone from my industry, nor did I ever ask anyone in Bollywood to help release our film, support us, or stand by us. We fought this battle ourselves.” He further noted that every profession has its challenges, saying, “Everyone feels their own struggle is the biggest. Whatever work you’re in, everyone is fighting their own battle on their own platform. We too brought our film to the audience on our own, got it released, and made sure it reached the people.”

'Satluj' Cannot Be Erased, Says Diljit Dosanjh

Reflecting on the film's removal from ZEE5, Diljit expressed peace in knowing that it had reached audiences, even if only for a short time. He mentioned that many viewers downloaded the film, and younger audiences were engaging in discussions about it, with screenings even taking place at Gurdwara Sahib. “But now I am satisfied that the film has reached every household. You have the film, people have downloaded it, and today the new youth is talking about it. I saw a video... where the film is being screened inside a Gurdwara Sahib. So now I am satisfied that the film has reached you... our work, what we wanted to say and how we wanted to say it, has reached the people exactly that way,” he remarked. Diljit concluded by asserting that the film now belongs to the public and cannot be erased. “So now I feel a lot of relief that finally the film is with you. Now it is your film; now it cannot be stopped. This is the people’s film now; you can’t stop it now. I feel those behind this are innocent or uneducated to think that once something comes online, it can just be deleted like that.”

Overview of 'Satluj'

Satluj, previously known as Punjab '95, is a biographical drama featuring Diljit Dosanjh as the late human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Directed by Honey Trehan, the film details Khalra's investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings and secret cremations of thousands of unidentified individuals in Punjab from 1984 to 1994, as well as the personal risks that led to his disappearance in 1995. The film faced a lengthy certification process before its quiet premiere on ZEE5 India on July 3, only to be removed two days later, igniting significant discussion regarding its release and themes.