Controversial Diljit Dosanjh film 'Satluj' removed from ZEE5 in India
The film 'Satluj,' starring Diljit Dosanjh and based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra’s investigation into extrajudicial killings in 1990s Punjab, was released on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, after years of censorship battles. It was removed from the Indian platform just two days later, citing unspecified "current developments," while remaining available internationally. The film had faced 127 demanded cuts and a title change from 'Punjab 95' by India’s CBFC. Political figures and the actor criticized the removal as censorship and suppression of historical memory.
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Political Storm in Punjab Over 'Satluj' Movie Removal and Public Screenings
The Bollywood film 'Satluj' (formerly 'Punjab'95'), detailing the life of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who uncovered alleged extrajudicial cremations during Punjab's terrorism era (mid-1980s to early-1990s), was removed from ZEE5's India catalogue on July 3, 2026, two days after its premiere, while continuing to stream internationally. No official blocking order has been issued, but a central government-appointed committee is examining the film under Section 69A of the IT Act. In response, political organizations including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) led by jailed MP Amritpal Singh have organized public screenings in villages and towns across Punjab using projectors in open grounds and gurdwaras. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu criticized the film for presenting disputed claims as established history, questioning the figure of 25,000 missing or illegally cremated bodies. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal stated the screenings aim to educate youth about the tragedy and repression faced by Khalra and Sikh youth.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sukhbir Badal slams removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' from ZEE5 as assault on collective memory
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' from streaming platform ZEE5 just two days after its release. Badal called the removal 'an assault on collective memory, truth, and freedom of expression,' stating that Punjab deserves to confront its past honestly. The film, originally titled 'Punjab 95,' chronicles the true story of social activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed state-sanctioned extrajudicial cremations in 1990s Punjab. It had previously faced a long battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). ZEE5 issued a statement thanking viewers and expressing hope to bring the film back soon. Badal's remarks come amid ongoing controversy over censorship and historical representation in Indian media.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.PIL in Punjab and Haryana HC seeks restoration of Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj
A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 9, 2026, seeking the restoration of the film 'Satluj', starring Diljit Dosanjh, which was abruptly removed from the OTT platform ZEE5 days after its digital release. The petition argues that the removal, without any public statutory or judicial order, violates constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and the right to information. The film is a biopic about activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated alleged disappearances during Punjab's insurgency era. The petitioner, Sharwan Singh, has named the central government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Punjab government, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, and ZEE5 as respondents. Separately, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) announced plans to screen the film across Punjab, stating it aims to educate youth about the repression during that period.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Satluj Director Says Film Removed From Indian Streaming Due to Government Pressure
In an exclusive interview with Forbes, director Honey Trehan stated that his film 'Satluj', starring Diljit Dosanjh, was removed from the ZEE5 streaming platform after just 48 hours due to 'government pressure'. The biopic is based on Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who documented alleged illegal cremations by Punjab Police during the 1990s militancy and was later killed. Trehan detailed a long censorship battle, including 127 requested cuts from India's Central Board of Film Certification, a forced title change, and removal from the Toronto International Film Festival. He claims the film was blocked because it shows police officers who were given extra powers misusing them, and that the government wants to avoid showing those officers in a bad light. Trehan emphasized the film is not anti-police but focuses on specific convicted officers.
Forbes - BusinessCentre to refer 'Satluj' to inter-departmental committee under IT Rules after takedown
The Indian government will refer the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer film 'Satluj' to an Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) constituted under the IT Rules 2021 for examination, following its removal from streaming platform ZEE5 on July 5, 2026, over security concerns. The film, originally titled 'Punjab 95', details the life of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra in 1990s Punjab and was stuck with censors for over three years before being released uncut on ZEE5 on July 3. The IDC, comprising representatives from multiple ministries including Home Affairs, Defence, and Law, may recommend measures ranging from warnings to blocking the content under Section 69A of the IT Act. The article notes that OTT content is regulated under Part III of the IT Rules, though the Code of Ethics was stayed by courts, and outlines emergency provisions for content blocking.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Why did Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj disappear in 48 hours?
Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' was finally released on ZEE5 after years of delays, censorship battles, and title changes. However, within 48 hours of its release, the film was removed from the platform, raising fresh concerns about censorship, historical memory, and freedom of expression in India. The article, published by The Hindu on July 7, 2026, explores the implications of this sudden removal and the broader context of the film's troubled journey to audiences.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Diljit Dosanjh Says Removal of Film 'Satluj' from ZEE5 Was Expected
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, currently on tour in the U.S., said he was unsurprised by the removal of his film 'Satluj' from streaming platform ZEE5 just two days after its July 3, 2026 release, calling it 'bound to happen.' The film, directed by Honey Trehan, features Dosanjh as human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who disappeared in 1995 after investigating mass cremations in Punjab. It was originally titled 'Punjab '95' and stuck with censors for over three years after the director refused 127 suggested cuts. ZEE5 issued a statement saying the film is unavailable in India until further notice due to 'current developments.' Dosanjh expressed satisfaction that audiences had already seen or downloaded the film, and encouraged further sharing, noting that nothing disappears from the internet.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sukhbir Badal slams removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' from ZEE5 as assault on collective memory
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' from streaming platform ZEE5 just two days after its release, calling it an 'assault on collective memory' and not mere censorship. The film, originally titled 'Punjab 95' and directed by Honey Trehan, had faced a long battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). It chronicles the true story of social activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who uncovered state-sanctioned extrajudicial cremations in 1990s Punjab. ZEE5 issued a statement thanking viewers and saying the film 'may have paused' but the conversation it started hasn't, expressing hope to bring it back soon. Badal said Punjab deserves to confront its past with honesty, not suppression.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Diljit Dosanjh's Controversial Film 'Satluj' Pulled From India After One Day on ZEE5
Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' was removed from ZEE5's Indian catalogue less than two days after its July 3 debut, while remaining available internationally via ZEE5 Global. The platform cited unspecified 'current developments' in an Instagram post on July 5, stating the film would be unavailable in India 'until further notice.' The film, directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP, is based on Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who investigated illegal cremations and enforced disappearances during Punjab's militancy era. Khalra disappeared in 1995 after police custody. The film faced a three-year certification battle with India's CBFC, which initially demanded 127 cuts and insisted on changing the title from 'Punjab '95' to 'Satluj.' Dosanjh confirmed the streaming version contains no cuts, matching the version he watched two years ago.
Forbes - BusinessDiljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' Removed from ZEE5 Two Days After Release
Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj', directed by Honey Trehan, was removed from streaming platform ZEE5 just two days after its release on July 5, 2026. The film, originally titled 'Punjab 95', had a prolonged battle with India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which demanded 127 cuts. ZEE5 issued a statement thanking viewers and expressing hope to bring the film back soon, but did not disclose the exact reason for removal. The film traces the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed mass disappearances and extra-judicial killings in Punjab during the militancy era. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Movies, it was initially slated for the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 but was withdrawn after Indian authorities intervened. A theatrical release scheduled for February 2025 was also delayed.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Diljit Dosanjh's much delayed 'Satluj', previously titled 'Panjab 95', gets streaming release
The much-delayed Indian film 'Satluj' (previously titled 'Panjab 95'), starring Diljit Dosanjh and directed by Honey Trehan, was released directly on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, after being stuck with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for years. The film traces the true story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed mass disappearances and extra-judicial killings in Punjab during the militancy era. Initially slated to premiere at TIFF 2023, it was withdrawn due to Indian authorities' intervention. The film then faced 127 demanded cuts from the CBFC, leading to a title change and multiple delays. Streamer ZEE5 praised the film as powerful cinema about courage and justice. Dosanjh cited Khalra's martyrdom as his reason for joining the project, while director Trehan emphasized the film's honest and sensitive storytelling.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.