Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj Removed From ZEE5: After spending nearly four years caught in certification disputes, Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj finally reached Indian audiences through an unannounced release on ZEE5 on July 4. But within 48 hours, the film was removed from the platform after directions from the Union government.
Originally titled Punjab ’95, the Honey Trehan-directed film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated alleged illegal cremations and disappearances during Punjab’s militancy era in the 1990s.
A Four-Year Certification Battle
The controversy dates back to 2022, when the makers submitted the film to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for theatrical release. According to government officials, the board recommended 127 cuts before granting certification.
The filmmakers declined to implement the suggested changes, arguing that the edits would fundamentally alter the story. Director Honey Trehan has previously said the objections extended beyond individual scenes to references involving Punjab Police, locations linked to the case, the film’s title, and even the use of certain religious and historical elements.
Surprise OTT Release
Instead of announcing a theatrical release, the makers quietly premiered the film on ZEE5 under its new title Satluj. There was no traditional promotional campaign, trailer launch event or countdown.
The unexpected release immediately drew attention because audiences had waited years to watch the film after repeated delays. Industry observers described the digital launch as an unusual strategy for a high-profile Hindi-Punjabi biographical drama.
Why Was Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj Removed From ZEE5?
On July 6, ZEE5 announced that Satluj would no longer be available in India “until further notice,” citing “current developments.” The platform added that it was exploring appropriate legal avenues to restore the film for viewers.
ZEE5 removed Satluj from its platform and issued a brief statement. “In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.”
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According to officials quoted by PTI and multiple media outlets, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed the platform to remove the film after concluding that it had been released without completing the pending certification process that began when the film sought theatrical clearance.
Officials also cited security concerns and obligations under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, stating that while OTT platforms do not fall under the CBFC’s certification regime in the same way as theatrical releases, they are still required to comply with India’s digital media regulations.
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The Centre’s Response
The Union government has maintained that the issue is not solely about censorship but about regulatory compliance and national security.
Officials said the producers had not accepted the CBFC’s proposed cuts and subsequently released the film directly on OTT under a different title. Once authorities became aware of the release, ZEE5 was directed to remove the film from its Indian catalogue.
An official spokesperson confirmed, “The government has pulled it down,” while expressing hope that the film would return to streaming “hopefully soon.” According to PTI, quoting a government official, the makers had originally submitted the film to the CBFC in 2022 under the title Punjab 95 but did not agree to the board’s proposed 127 cuts.
Director Honey Trehan has expressed frustration over what he described as years of opaque communication during the certification process.
Diljit Dosanjh Reacts
Following the removal, Diljit Dosanjh shared messages on social media expressing disappointment over the takedown. He said, “Our film, ‘Satluj’, is a story of conviction, courage, and humanity, and portraying this character has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. I’m grateful that audiences across the world can finally watch the film on Zee5 and connect with a story that is both deeply personal and truly a must-watch for all.”
During an Instagram Live session, the actor urged fans to download the film while it was still streaming. “Today is Saturday. I feel it could be taken down by Monday. But no worries, you download it,” he said.
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“I came live on Instagram to thank people for watching Satluj,” he began and went on to say, “What I had feared actually happened. I thought the film would be taken down by Monday, but it happened sooner than expected. That’s why we didn’t promote the film. It was best to release the film (online) without any promotion. Today’s youth is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra. Every home is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra.”
