Why Did Diljit Dosanjh's Film 'Satluj' Disappear from ZEE5? Political Outcry Ensues!

Political Backlash Over Film Removal

Chandigarh: On Monday, various political factions and Sikh organizations in Punjab expressed their outrage over the removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film Satluj from an OTT platform. They argue that the film addresses one of the state's most troubling historical periods and should not be silenced through censorship.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), criticized the film's removal from ZEE5, stating that it represents more than just censorship; it is an attack on collective memory, truth, and freedom of expression.

Originally titled Punjab 95, the film, which chronicles the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, premiered on ZEE5 last Friday but was taken down just two days later.

Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a senior Congress leader, condemned the film's removal, emphasizing its focus on police brutality related to Khalra's abduction and murder in 1995.

Malvinder Singh Kang, an MP from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), remarked that when a nation fears its own history, censorship becomes a perilous tool.

Kulwant Singh Manan, chief secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), insisted that the public deserves to know the truth about that era in Punjab.

He stated that the film should remain accessible and questioned why revealing reality is seen as problematic.

Badal expressed his dismay over the film's abrupt removal, reiterating that Punjab must face its past honestly rather than suppress it.

He described Satluj as a powerful narrative that sheds light on Punjab's painful history and honors Khalra's sacrifice.

The film faced censorship challenges for over three years before its release without cuts, but ZEE5 announced its unavailability in India shortly thereafter.

Khaira pointed out that the film's removal contradicts a Supreme Court ruling that convicted police officers involved in Khalra's abduction.

He lamented that the same oppressive police state continues to operate in Punjab under the current government.

Kang highlighted the inconsistency in promoting films like The Kashmir Files while censoring those that address uncomfortable truths about Punjab's past.

He called for the immediate reinstatement of Satluj, asserting that history should be confronted openly, not hidden away.

Dharamvira Gandhi, a Congress MP from Patiala, labeled the film's removal as an unfortunate attack on freedom of expression, stressing its importance in educating younger generations about the tumultuous 1990s in Punjab.

The film, which features Dosanjh as Khalra, investigates the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab from 1984 to 1994, culminating in Khalra's own disappearance in 1995.

In 2005, four Punjab Police officers were convicted for his abduction and murder, initially sentenced to seven years, later increased to life imprisonment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Although Satluj was set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, it was removed from the lineup without explanation.

The film faced significant hurdles with the Central Board of Film Certification, which demanded an unprecedented 127 cuts, delaying its release. Initially titled Punjab '95, it was slated for a worldwide release on February 7, 2025, but that too has been postponed.