Film 'Satluj' starring Diljit Dosanjh was blocked, but it benefited the creators

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.

The film 'Satluj' by director Diljit Dosanjh, which was released on the streaming platform Zee5 just two days ago, was suddenly removed from the catalog in India. This incident has provoked a serious resonance in the political life of Punjab, leading major political parties and organizations in the state to condemn the removal of the film from online services.

Basis of the Film and Public Reaction

'Satluj' tells the story of Jaswant Singh Haldane, a human rights activist from Punjab. Haldane exposed numerous cases of illegal killings committed by the police during the period of extremism in Punjab, as well as cases of secret burial of bodies. Leaders express the opinion that the sudden disappearance of the film from OTT platforms is a direct infringement on freedom of expression and an attempt to conceal historical truths.

Demands of Political Parties

In response to the film's removal, leaders of all major political forces in Punjab demonstrated unity. Senior Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Kayra stated that this proves the continued functioning of a 'police state' in Punjab under the government of Bhawangat Mana. He emphasized that the film is based on factual information that the Supreme Court recognized as true when convicting police officers, and demanded that the Indian government immediately restore access to the film on Zee5.

Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed surprise and regret over this decision. He wrote on social media X that a powerful film highlighting the painful history of Punjab and honoring the ultimate sacrifice of Jaswant Singh Haldane cannot be silenced. Badal called this not merely censorship, but an attack on memory, truth, and freedom of expression.

Positions of Other Political Figures

Diljit Singh Chima from Akali Dal called this step completely anti-democratic, arguing that 'Satluj' is dedicated to a human rights activist, not an extremist or Khalistani character, and that no criminal case was filed against Haldane. He demanded explanations from both the central and Punjab governments. Baltej Singh Pannu, spokesperson for Aam Aadmi Party Punjab, also qualified this as an encroachment on artistic freedom, accusing the central government of constant interference in the narrative related to Punjab's history and attempts to suppress regional voices.

Chairman of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Harjinder Singh Dami noted that no bans can erase the truth about the atrocities committed against Sikhs, and that such historical facts should be discussed openly instead of being censored. Furthermore, Chairman of the Punjab BJP, Keval Dhillon, reported that his party is raising this issue with the central leadership.

Views of Lawyers and Former Officials

Navkiran Singh, a senior lawyer who was part of Jaswant Singh Haldane's human rights team, stated that the removal of 'Satluj' is absolutely unlawful. He confirmed that the facts presented in the film are entirely true, including records of cremation sites for 2097 bodies burned without identification. He added that stopping the film might harm the BJP in Punjab but would not contribute to the rise of a Khalistani atmosphere.

Diljit Dosanjh's film, originally titled 'Punjab 95' and later renamed 'Sattluj', has been removed from the OTT streaming service. This turn of events came as a surprise to many viewers.

Film Removal from Platform

The film began streaming on G5 on July 3rd, but only 48 hours later it was taken down from the platform. Authorities stated that the film will not be shown in India pending further orders.

Previous Disputes and Release

There were already disagreements surrounding the film 'Sattluj'. The film censor board did not grant it permission, demanding numerous edits. Nevertheless, the creators released the film on OTT without any changes. Viewers were struck by how the story of false police detentions and events in Jaswant Singh Haldi was portrayed.

Harbhajan Singh's Reaction

Before the film disappeared from the platforms, many watched it, including former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh and a Rajya Sabha MP from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Harbhajan shared his opinion on X after watching 'Sattluj'. He noted that the events in Giliyan Wala Bagh are one of the largest genocides in history committed by British rule. However, after watching the story of Jaswant Singh Haldi, he had another question: what is more painful—the abuses by external forces or the accusations against those who are supposed to protect their own public?

Harbhajan emphasized that the job of the police is to ensure the safety of the innocent, not to abuse their authority. He stated that Jaswant Singh Haldi presented evidence of illegal disappearances and secret burials, showing that the wounds from the abuse of power do not heal for generations. Many mothers in Punjab are still waiting for answers, and families continue to hope for justice. The truth can never be suppressed forever.' He also highly praised Diljit and director Hani Trehan for their courage in telling this story.

Reactions from Politicians and Actors

Following the removal of 'Sattluj', former Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed his disappointment, calling the situation extremely shocking and sad in his tweet on X. Diljit Dosanjh himself also appeared upset about the disappearance of his film. He shared a clip from the film on Instagram, stating that they are challenging this darkness, and thanked fans for their support during this difficult time.