The Centre is considering introducing mandatory certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for films released on OTT platforms. According to sources, this decision would require amendments to the Information Technology Rules (Rules on Intermediaries and Code of Ethics for Digital Media) of 2021, as OTT content is currently outside the jurisdiction of the CBFC.
This step is being discussed against the backdrop of disputes arising from the film 'Satluj', which was released on the streaming platform Zee5 without the requisite CBFC certification. Part III of the Information Technology Rules grants the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting the authority to use Section 69A of the Information Technology Act to regulate OTT content, which falls outside the competence of the CBFC.
Section 69A gives the government the power to block online content on grounds including the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, and public order.
The committee appointed by the Centre to examine the film involving Diljit Dosanjh allegedly recommended maintaining the ban on public screening, citing concerns that the film allegedly undermines the sovereignty and integrity of India. Furthermore, a senior government official stated that action could be taken against Zee5 for releasing 'Satluj' during its review by the CBFC, which recommended several amendments.
Zee5 removed the film on July 3, two days after its release, following a government directive motivated by national security concerns. Regarding reports of 'Satluj' being shown in private venues without certification, the official noted that the responsibility for ensuring compliance with the law and taking action against violators lies with the respective state governments. The film is being screened in private venues, including gurdwaras across Punjab, and this issue is becoming increasingly politicized ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for early next year.
The film, directed by Honey Trehan, tells the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. He investigated the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab between 1984 and 1994. In 1995, Khalra was abducted and killed by Punjab police officers.
In Punjab's politics, the connection with cinema goes beyond mere entertainment, as many stories shown on the big screen reach political platforms. Sometimes films dedicated to terrorism or police actions contribute to the formation of an anti-government atmosphere, while others concerning the drug problem put the government in an awkward position.
Currently, Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' (formerly known as Punjab-95) is being actively discussed again. After a limited screening on ZEE5, the telecast of the film was suspended. In this regard, Akali Dal, SGPC, and several Sikh organizations have called it an act of censorship and an issue related to Sikh history. The question also arises whether another film is preparing a political narrative ahead of the elections in Punjab.
An analysis of the history of electoral politics in Punjab reveals a similarity between the films 'Matis', 'Udta Punjab', and now 'Satluj'. All three films addressed the most sensitive issues of Punjab and were released just before the state legislative assembly elections, which led to an escalation of political struggle around them.
The film 'Matis', released in 1996 with actors such as Chandrachud Singh and Tabu, became famous for the song 'Chappa Chappa Charka Chale'. The plot covered the period of terrorism and alleged police abuses in Punjab during the 1980s and 90s. The film showed how young people were forced to take up arms due to circumstances and police arbitrariness.
Despite high critical acclaim, the film's influence was not limited to cinemas. The following year, in 1997, the elections for the Punjab Legislative Assembly took place. The opposition constantly questioned the ruling Congress regarding police actions in the fight against terrorism. Akali Dal used this theme as a significant part of its election campaign. 'Matis' emotionally presented the suffering of that time to the general public, which intensified the discussion about police actions and human rights violations, bringing political benefit to the Akali Dal-BJP coalition, which won the elections. The Congress, which came to power after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, shrank from 117 to only 14 seats in the legislative assembly.
About two decades later, a new shift occurred in Punjab's politics thanks to the film 'Udta Punjab', released in 2016. The central theme of the film was the rapidly spreading drug addiction in Punjab, showing how the drug trafficking network had infiltrated politics.
The film sparked controversy even before its release. The stance of the then Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Pahilja Nihalani, was extremely strict. The board demanded 94 out of 89 amendments: removing mentions of Punjab, elections, parties, members of the legislative assembly and MPs, muting profanities, removing close-ups of drug injections, and removing the word 'Punjab' from the title. The revision committee also requested at least 13 amendments. However, the filmmakers appealed to the court. The Bombay High Court allowed the film's release with only one change, sharply criticizing the CBFC.
At the time, the government in Punjab was formed by the Akali Dal-BJP coalition. Opposition parties, such as the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, criticized the government over the drug problem. After the film's release, this topic received even more coverage. The filmmakers and opposition parties claimed that the Punjab government was trying to hide the drug problem before the elections. As a result, drugs became the most important electoral issue in the 2017 elections. The Congress promised a 'Drug-Free Punjab', and the Aam Aadmi Party made it its main election campaign. Allegations were leveled against many Akali Dal leaders regarding involvement in drug smuggling, which ultimately led to the loss of power by Akali Dal and the success of the Congress in forming the government.
Currently, attention is focused on the film 'Satluj', originally titled 'Punjab-95'. The film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Haldar, who exposed cases of alleged false detentions and missing persons burials in Punjab during the fight against terrorism in the 90s. He was later kidnapped and killed, and many police officers were convicted in this case.
The film was long in dispute with the censorship board. Reports emerged that the CBFC demanded 120-127 amendments, changed the title from Gallughara to Punjab-95, and discussed transitioning to 'Satluj'. The demands included removing the tag 'Based on real events', deleting Haldar's wife's name, and softening torture scenes. Ultimately, the film was released unedited on ZEE5 but was immediately removed from India.
This move exacerbated the debate surrounding 'Satluj'. Akali Dal, SGPC, and other Sikh organizations stated that the film is being suppressed and prevented from revealing the story of Punjab. On the other hand, some political parties view this as a matter of freedom of expression. Thus, the film has once again turned into not just a movie, but a center of political debate.
It cannot be said that any single film can win or lose elections. Elections are always determined by multiple factors: social dynamics, leadership, and organizational strength. However, it is true that films can play a huge role in creating the electoral atmosphere.
A film dedicated to a specific issue brings this discussion to the wider public. A topic that previously remained within newspapers and political speeches suddenly becomes a subject of discussion in every home. This is why political parties immediately take their stance on controversial films: some support, some oppose, some raise the issue of censorship, and some speak of damaging the state's image. Thus, the film itself becomes a political symbol.
Preparations for the upcoming elections in Punjab have begun, and the controversy surrounding 'Satluj' cannot be viewed merely as a cinematic dispute. This conflict is linked to issues such as human rights, police actions, Sikh identity, censorship, and freedom of expression. Shiromant Akali Dal is trying to create a strong momentum in support of 'Satluj'. However, it is difficult to say whether it will gain advantage from this.
'Satluj' is an emotional film, but its roots go back more than 30 years. It is impossible to judge the extent of indignation among the new generation of Punjab regarding this from an electoral perspective. Nevertheless, the problems of drug addiction and unemployment are more pressing. Farmers have their own problems. The real game lies in the political equations of leaders and their parties in Punjab. Although 'Satluj' may not become a major electoral issue, it will undoubtedly provide ammunition to strategic thinkers shaping the political narrative. Punjab's experience shows that the influence of cinema extends far beyond box office receipts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
