Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj has been removed from streaming platform Zee5 in India, two days after its release, following objections raised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) over the film's certification process.
The film, directed by Honey Trehan and based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, premiered on Zee5 on Friday. On Sunday, the streaming platform confirmed that it had been taken down in India until further notice.
According to officials quoted by ANI, the Ministry said the film was released without completing the required certification process. An I&B Ministry official stated that Satluj did not have the necessary certification for theatrical release and alleged that the filmmakers changed the title from Panjab 95 before releasing it directly on an OTT platform.
The official further alleged that the release violated the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. However, the Ministry did not specify which provision of the rules was allegedly breached.
The Ministry also said it had not received any representation from the filmmakers seeking approval or reconsideration before the film was released on the streaming platform.
In a statement, Zee5 said, "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."
The film was originally submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 under the title Panjab 95. According to the filmmakers, the CBFC initially sought 27 cuts and a change in the film's title. After the matter went through legal proceedings, a revision committee reportedly recommended 120 cuts. Following several years of legal proceedings, the film was eventually released on Zee5 under the title Satluj.
Speaking after the film's removal, lead actor Diljit Dosanjh said he was pleased that audiences had already watched the film. He noted that some viewers had downloaded it and that screenings had reportedly taken place at Gurudwaras, adding that he was satisfied the film had reached its intended audience.
Satluj stars Diljit Dosanjh as Jaswant Singh Khalra, the human rights activist known for documenting alleged extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the 1990s. The cast also includes Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
The film remains unavailable for streaming in India while the matter is being addressed through the appropriate legal and regulatory processes.
Sources: Hindustan Times
