Honey Trehan's Film 'Satluj' Faces Controversy After Brief OTT Release

Honey Trehan's film 'Satluj' faced a swift removal from ZEE5 just 48 hours after its release, sparking discussions about freedom of speech. Actor Kanwaljit Singh shared insights about his experience on set and the controversy surrounding the film's withdrawal. With a star-studded cast including Diljit Dosanjh and Arjun Rampal, the film has generated both positive reviews and significant backlash. Read on to learn more about the film's journey and the reactions from its cast.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 10, 2026, 21:25 IST

Release and Immediate Withdrawal of 'Satluj'

After a three-year wait due to certification challenges, Honey Trehan's film Satluj debuted on ZEE5 on July 3. Initially named Punjab '95, the film was removed from the platform just 48 hours after its launch. Featuring actors Diljit Dosanjh, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Arjun Rampal, the film garnered favorable reviews from both critics and viewers. Following its release and subsequent withdrawal, Zoom conducted an exclusive interview with Kanwaljit Singh, who disclosed that a scene featuring him and Diljit was cut. He praised Diljit, referring to him as a 'thorough gentleman'.

Kanwaljit Singh Discusses His Scene with Diljit Dosanjh

Kanwaljit Singh Reflects on His Experience

When asked about memorable moments with Diljit during the filming of Satluj, Kanwaljit Singh explained, "There was a scene between Diljit and me that was removed because the director felt a similar scene had already been done with him. So, we decided it was better to cut it here rather than face issues later during editing. It was just a small scene for me."

The veteran actor, who portrays DGP Bitta, reminisced about meeting his co-stars at a hotel after filming. He commended Diljit, who plays human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, stating, "He is a true gentleman and shows great passion for his craft, whether it's acting or singing. He has portrayed this role with deep empathy, and there's no doubt he has done an excellent job."

Kanwaljit Singh's Reaction to the Film's Removal

Concerns Over Freedom of Speech

Continuing the discussion, Kanwaljit Singh expressed his thoughts on Satluj's removal from the streaming service. He emphasized that freedom of speech is being compromised, stating, "If we talk about freedom of speech, it feels like it's being stifled. This is now part of history. If backlash was the issue, it implies that any film about Hitler or the Holocaust would face similar reactions. That's not how it works; time often heals many wounds."

In addition to Kanwaljit and Diljit, Satluj also stars Arjun Rampal as CBI officer Samudra Singh, Suvinder Vicky as SSP Surjit Singh Sugga, Saurabh Sachdeva as Satnam, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan as Paramjit Kaur. The film is produced by RSVP Movies and MacGuffin Pictures, with Honey Trehan co-writing alongside Niren Bhatt and Utsav Maitra.

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