Diljit Dosanjh's Biopic 'Satluj' Removed from ZEE5 Amid Controversy
Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' Faces Removal from ZEE5
In a surprising turn of events, Diljit Dosanjh’s biopic on Jaswant Singh Khalra, titled Satluj, was taken down from ZEE5 less than a day after its release. The film, which faced challenges with the CBFC certification, was made available on the streaming service on July 3. This contentious film had been under scrutiny for three years, with the censor board requesting over 120 cuts, which the filmmakers declined. Consequently, it was released on ZEE5 but was subsequently banned in India for unspecified reasons. Diljit, who portrays the lead character, had anticipated this outcome, although he was confident that viewers would find ways to download the film.
Diljit Dosanjh's Response to the Removal
In response to the ban of Satluj on ZEE5, Diljit shared a clip from the film, stating, “Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra Ji (folded hand emoji) #Panjab95 Satluj is what happened to Khalra Saab (sic).”
Reasons Behind the Removal of Satluj
ZEE5 released an official statement confirming the removal of Satluj from its platform in India. The filmmakers expressed their gratitude to the global audience, stating, “Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life.” The platform emphasized its commitment to the film and its creative vision, noting that impactful storytelling can inspire and leave a lasting impression. However, they mentioned that due to recent developments, Satluj would be unavailable in India until further notice, while they explore all possible avenues to reinstate the film for viewers as soon as possible.
Who Was Jaswant Singh Khalra?
Satluj, formerly known as Panjab 95, tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a bank employee turned human rights activist during a tumultuous period in Punjab. He investigated claims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and secret cremations during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His efforts brought significant international attention to alleged human rights violations by security forces. Khalra meticulously examined municipal cremation records across various districts in Punjab, revealing that many individuals who vanished after police custody were unlawfully killed and cremated without their families being informed. His courageous work became a crucial element in subsequent human rights investigations regarding the conflict. Tragically, Khalra was abducted from his home in Amritsar on September 6, 1995, and was later presumed murdered, with those responsible receiving life sentences for their crimes.
The film Satluj is directed by Honey Trehan and features a talented cast including Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, Saurabh Sachdeva, Kanwaljit Singh, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.