Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' Removed from Zee5 Following Controversy

The film 'Satluj', directed by Honey Trehan, has been removed from the Zee5 streaming platform in India just two days after its release on July 3, 2026. The removal comes amid a censorship controversy surrounding the movie, which depicts the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Khalra was an advocate for addressing the unlawful killings of Sikhs by Punjab police during the 1980s and 1990s and disappeared in September 1995. Six police officers were later convicted of his murder.

Zee5 announced the film's unavailability in a statement, mentioning "current developments" but did not provide specific details regarding the reasons behind the decision. The platform stated, "Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice," while expressing its support for the film and its intention to explore ways to return it to audiences.

In an Instagram update, Zee5 remarked, "Satluj may have paused. But the conversation it started hasn’t." They expressed gratitude for the audience's support and hoped to reinstate the film soon.

'‘Satluj’ was initially titled 'Ghallughara', a term referencing historical Sikh massacres, and was later renamed 'Punjab '95' before its final title. The film faced significant difficulties in obtaining certification from India’s Central Board of Film Certification due to numerous cut demands, which led to delays in its release process. Trehan has previously shared his struggles with the board, stating that they sought 127 cuts before allowing the film's release, a proposal the filmmakers resisted.

Notably, the film was meant to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023 but was removed from the line-up prior to the event. The film’s producers, including Ronnie Screwvala, have been under pressure to abandon the project, as reported by Trehan in a previous interview. Following the film's removal, Diljit Dosanjh indicated in an Instagram Live that he anticipated such an outcome, adding, "I had a feeling something like this would happen."

He reflected on the unexpected decision, mentioning that despite the lack of promotion, the film had reached various viewers, particularly among younger audiences. He noted the significance of the film's message and encouraged continued conversations around it. "What we wanted to say has been conveyed," he said.

The discourse following 'Satluj's removal illustrates ongoing tensions regarding artistic expression and censorship in India, especially concerning sensitive historical narratives. While the film remains unavailable in India, it is still accessible to international audiences. Its future remains uncertain as discussions about its reinstatement continue.