Diljit Dosanjh's Film 'Satluj' Removed from ZEE5 Amid Controversy

Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' faced immediate removal from ZEE5 just hours after its release, raising questions about its content and certification. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has formed an Interdepartmental Committee to investigate the film following public backlash. This biopic, which has been in the making for three years, was released without the necessary clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification. The situation is evolving as the IDC reviews the film's content and its implications under the Information Technology Act. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2026, 09:41 IST

Overview of 'Satluj' Removal

The film 'Satluj', featuring Diljit Dosanjh, was unexpectedly taken down from ZEE5 just hours after its release on the platform. This biopic about Jaswant Singh Khalra has not yet received approval from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). After enduring a lengthy three-year delay and legal disputes with the CBFC, the film, previously known as 'Panjab '95', was quietly launched on ZEE5 on July 3. Following its removal, many individuals expressed their concerns regarding the decision. In response to the backlash, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has established a high-level Interdepartmental Committee (IDC) to review the film's content.

Interdepartmental Committee's Role

As reported by a news outlet, the MIB's decision to create the IDC came after they instructed ZEE5 to withdraw 'Satluj'. This directive was issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, in conjunction with Part 3 of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. Section 69A grants the government authority to mandate intermediaries to block or eliminate access to online content based on specific criteria, such as public order, national security, and the integrity of India. Additionally, Part 3 of the IT Rules extends this authority to online content publishers, allowing the MIB to direct OTT platforms and digital news outlets accordingly. Senior officials from the MIB, speaking anonymously, indicated that the IDC is currently reviewing the situation, which was established under Rule 14 of the IT Rules 2021. This committee is tasked with making recommendations to the government regarding content-related grievances. This story is still developing.