Controversy Surrounds 'Satluj' After Sudden Removal from ZEE5
Political Reactions to 'Satluj' Removal
The controversy regarding the film Satluj is escalating as Kewal Singh Dhillon, the President of the Punjab BJP, announced plans to address the film's removal from ZEE5 with the Central government. This biographical drama, featuring Diljit Dosanjh as the human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was released on July 3 but was taken down just two days later. Its unexpected removal has ignited discussions about censorship, artistic expression, and the film's contentious themes. Dhillon's remarks signify a notable political involvement in the ongoing discourse about the film's withdrawal from the OTT platform.
Punjab BJP President Comments on 'Satluj' Removal
In a media interaction, Dhillon expressed that the party is concerned about Satluj's removal from ZEE5 and is seeking clarification regarding the decision. He mentioned that the issue is being raised with the Central government, aiming to understand the reasons behind the film's sudden exit. "We are addressing this matter with the Central government. I'm looking into the reasons," Dhillon stated to reporters.
Reasons Behind 'Satluj' Removal from OTT
As per government sources, Satluj was taken down from ZEE5 due to concerns that certain segments of the film, which portray Punjab's tumultuous history during the 1980s and Khalra's activism, could be exploited by "anti-India elements." This intervention occurred merely 48 hours after the film's digital launch, abruptly halting its streaming. The decision follows extensive scrutiny over the film's sensitive content, which includes events like Operation Blue Star, the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots, and Khalra's investigation into the alleged illegal abduction and cremation of numerous unidentified individuals in Punjab.
Diljit Dosanjh's Response to the Controversy
Diljit Dosanjh initially reacted to the film's removal with a cryptic post on Instagram, sharing an image from Satluj and stating, "I challenge the darkness." He further expressed in Punjabi that the film's fate mirrors that of the activist it depicts, saying, "What happened to Satluj also happened to Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra." In a recent livestream, Dosanjh reflected on the lengthy struggle to bring the biographical drama to audiences, emphasizing that the team chose to fight for its release independently, without seeking help from Bollywood or the Punjabi film industry. "We’ve been fighting to get this film released for the last three to four years. We never sought support from anyone. I never asked anyone from my industry or Bollywood to assist us. We fought this battle ourselves," he stated.
Dosanjh also noted that everyone faces their own challenges, saying, "Everyone believes their struggle is the most significant. In whatever field you are, everyone is battling their own issues. We too brought our film to the audience independently, ensured its release, and made it accessible to the people." For those unaware, Satluj was initially titled Punjab '95.