Why Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj was taken down: The story behind the controversy

Honey Trehan's Satluj, starring Diljit Dosanjh, has once again reignited the debate over censorship and freedom of expression after it was removed from the Indian catalogue of ZEE5 within 48 hours of its release.

The film, which is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, had already spent nearly three years in certification limbo before quietly making its streaming debut.

What is Satluj about?

Originally titled Ghallughara and later renamed Punjab '95, the film chronicles the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a Punjab-based human rights activist whose investigations in the 1990s brought to light the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies during the militancy period in Punjab.

Khalra claimed that many of the bodies were those of people who had disappeared in police custody. His findings drew national and international attention before he himself was abducted outside his home in Amritsar in September 1995. His body was never recovered. In 2005, the Supreme Court upheld the convictions of several Punjab Police personnel for his abduction and murder.

Diljit Dosanjh portrays Khalra in the film, while the cast also includes Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.

Years of certification hurdles

The film has encountered repeated hurdles since its completion. According to the filmmakers, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) sought extensive modifications because of the film's politically sensitive subject matter. Reports said the film underwent multiple title changes and its theatrical release was repeatedly postponed as certification remained unresolved.

A long road to release

On July 3, Satluj appeared on ZEE5 in India without any formal promotional campaign. Two days later, the platform announced that the film would no longer be available in India "until further notice", citing "current developments", while continuing to stream internationally through ZEE5 Global.

Why was it removed?

The Union government has maintained that the film was released before the certification process had been completed. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the matter would be examined under the Information Technology Rules through an Inter-Departmental Committee.

Government sources also told media organisations that the film was taken down because of concerns that its content could be misused by "anti-India forces" and potentially affect public order, given its depiction of one of the most contentious periods in Punjab's recent history.

The filmmakers and several actors associated with the project have questioned the decision, arguing that the film is based on documented events and raises important questions about justice and accountability.

Actor Kanwaljit Singh publicly asked whether artistic freedom was being curtailed, while Diljit Dosanjh said he had anticipated that the film could face another ban.

Why does the film remain controversial?

The controversy extends beyond the film itself. It touches on larger questions surrounding the portrayal of the Punjab insurgency, the balance between artistic freedom and public order, and the regulation of digital content in India.

Supporters argue that Satluj brings attention to a significant chapter in India's human rights history through the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra. Those defending the government's action contend that content dealing with sensitive historical conflicts must be carefully assessed before public release.

With the film now under review, its future release in India remains uncertain.