Films Struggling for Release: A Look at Recent Controversies

The recent removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' from OTT platforms highlights ongoing struggles faced by filmmakers in India. This article delves into various films that have encountered significant hurdles, including 'Lawrence of Punjab', 'Chardikala', and 'Jana Nayagan'. Each of these films has faced censorship issues or delays in release, raising questions about artistic freedom and the impact of government regulations on cinema. With insights from directors and industry experts, this piece sheds light on the broader implications of these challenges in the Indian film landscape. Read on to explore the intricate relationship between cinema and censorship.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 6, 2026, 20:19 IST

Challenges Faced by Recent Films

After enduring years of challenges with the Censor Board, the Diljit Dosanjh-led film 'Satluj' was abruptly removed from OTT platforms just two days after its release in India. This Honey Trehan-directed film, which focuses on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, faced significant hurdles before its removal from Zee5. Here, we explore other films that have encountered similar struggles during their release.

Lawrence of Punjab: This documentary series, which delves into the life and criminal activities of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was set to premiere on ZEE5 in April 2026. However, it faced backlash for allegedly glamorizing gangster culture and ultimately did not air on OTT platforms.

Chardikala: The Punjabi film 'Chardikala', featuring Ammy Virk, Roopi Gill, and Himmat Sandhu, was not officially banned by the Indian government. Instead, its release in Punjab was hindered due to pending Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approvals, distribution challenges, and threats of religious backlash. Despite these issues, the film successfully premiered in international markets like Canada and Australia on May 29, 2026.

Jana Nayagan: This political action thriller, considered to be the last project of actor Vijay before his political career, faced difficulties with the CBFC and was sent to the Revising Committee. There are now discussions about a potential release at the end of July, coinciding with Vijay's tenure as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, after its initial January 2026 release date.

India: The Modi Question: The two-part BBC documentary 'India: The Modi Question' was banned in 2023. This documentary, which chronicles Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rise to power, was not broadcast by the BBC in India and was subsequently removed from YouTube following government orders.

Tees: 'Tees' is a multi-generational narrative about a Kashmiri family grappling with identity, displacement, and censorship over a span of 90 years. Commissioned by Netflix in 2019 and directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the film was completed in 2022 but has yet to be released on any OTT platform.

Awaiting CBFC Approval

Currently, 'The India Story: Slow Poison in Progress', featuring Kajal Aggarwal and Shreyas Talpade, is pending approval from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ahead of its planned global theatrical release on July 24. This film addresses the alarming use of pesticides in agriculture and their detrimental effects on human health. Director Chettan DK expressed his concerns, stating, "It has been a challenging period for films that tackle uncomfortable truths. The sudden removal of 'Satluj' from an OTT platform and the ongoing wait for 'The India Story' to receive CBFC clearance is disheartening for us as filmmakers. Our goal is not to stir controversy but to highlight significant issues through cinema. After extensive research and effort, we hope for the film to be allowed to reach audiences so they can form their own views."