Film Satluj continues to be distributed in pirated copies via Telegram after being banned

Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' was removed from the Zee5 platform in India less than 48 hours after its premiere, causing significant social media buzz.

Film Release History

The film was originally titled 'Punjab '95', and its release was postponed for three years because the Central Board of Film Certification requested over 120 edits, which were ultimately not made for its screening on the OTT platform.

Currently, the film is unavailable in India, but it remains accessible to an international audience on the streaming platform Z5. Viewers in the UAE can subscribe to this platform for 22.99 dirhams per month, which grants access to all content on two devices.

Plot and Basis of the Film

The plot of the movie is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra from Punjab. He exposed alleged illegal killings and secret cremations in the late 1980s and early 1990s during the uprising in Punjab. Khalra himself disappeared in 1995, and his body was found near the Harike bridge on the Sutlej River.

Piracy Issues and Platform Reaction

After the film was removed from Zee5 in India, it began circulating as pirated copies online. In response, the streaming platform expressed concern and urged viewers not to support piracy. Zee5 posted a message on social media stating: 'We are doing everything possible to bring back Satluj. Please do the same—do not support piracy. We are hopeful and doing everything we can. Please do not support piracy. We remain committed to exploring all possible ways to bring Satluj back to you.'

In an official statement made after the removal on Sunday, ZEE5 acknowledged the audience response and confirmed the temporary unavailability of the film in India. The platform noted: 'The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who decided to subscribe, watch, and support the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life.'

Announcing the removal on Sunday, the platform stated: 'In light of current events, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We continue to make efforts through proper procedure to bring the film back to our audience as soon as possible.'

Actor's Comments

Lead actor Diljit Dosanjh commented on the situation live on Instagram on Monday. The actor shared his thoughts on the sudden restriction of access to the film and the long journey that preceded its release, expressing both disappointment and acceptance of the situation. In his live session, Diljit Dosanjh openly discussed the sequence of events that led to the ban. He said: 'My love and respect to all of you. What I expected has happened exactly like this. I thought the film might be banned when the offices opened on Monday, but I didn't know it would happen so early, on Sunday evening.'

The government used security grounds to demand that ZEE5 remove the film 'Satluj' after its creators released it under a new title on the streaming platform. This occurred because the theatrical release of the film was postponed for nearly three years due to censors' objections to certain elements of its content.

Plot of the film 'Satluj'

The film 'Satluj' tells the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, played by actor Diljit Dosanjh. Khalra exposed human rights abuses allegedly committed by the Punjab police during the fight against terrorism before disappearing in 1995. Later, four police officers were convicted for his kidnapping and murder.

Release on OTT Platform

The film's creators did not appeal to the censorship board. Since the content regulation rules for OTT platforms were less stringent than those for cinemas and television, they released the film under a different name on ZEE5, where it remained available for only two days. According to sources, the government exercised its authority and demanded the platform's removal on security grounds.

Context of Events in Punjab

The decade between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s was an extremely unstable period in Punjab. During this time, pro-Khalistan terrorist groups operated freely until they were suppressed by the police, which in turn was accused of numerous excesses during operations.

Regulation Issues and Family Opinions

The creators' decision to release it on OTT once again raised the issue of regulation in the new sphere of entertainment and information. This issue was noted in a report by the parliamentary standing committee led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Nishikant Dubey. The committee presented recommendations, including changes to existing legislation to address this problem.

The ban on 'Satluj' triggered a surge of painful memories among families whose loved ones are still considered missing. Relatives of many such victims told TOI that the film should not have been banned, as it sheds light on a painful chapter of Punjab's history that needs recognition, not concealment. The general sentiment among the families was the expression: 'Justice for what we lost will never come,' and they stated that 'Satluj' must be shown so that the younger generation can understand what many had to go through.

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