Diljit Dosanjh’s film ‘Satluj’ has been pulled from ZEE5. This happened just two days after the film went live on the streaming platform. The removal has sparked strong reactions from both politicians and celebrities
The film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has now explained why the film was taken down
Also Read: Explained: ‘Satluj’ pulled from Zee5, here’s everything that led to this moment for the Diljit Dosanjh film
Government says certification was never completed
According to the ministry, Satluj was released on OTT without completing the required certification process. Officials said the film lacked the certification needed for a theatrical release
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An official speaking to ANI explained that instead of complying with certification requirements, the makers changed the film’s title and released it directly on OTT on Friday
The official also alleged that this release violated provisions under the Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules of 2021. However, no specific provision was named to support this claim
Nearly 100 cuts were reportedly suggested
The same official stated that the certification body had recommended close to 100 cuts to the film. Rather than making these changes, the makers allegedly renamed the film and moved forward with an OTT release instead
The ministry added that it never received any formal representation from the filmmakers seeking approval or reconsideration before the film was released to audiences
Congress leader criticises the decision
The removal has drawn sharp political reactions. Senior Congress leader Pargat Singh spoke out strongly against the decision
He pointed to what he described as a double standard. According to him, films made with BJP backing, including titles like The Kerala Story, get screened wherever elections take place, functioning as political messaging. He questioned why real human rights violations are kept off public platforms instead. He asked how correction can happen if such stories never reach the public
Pargat Singh added that power should be used properly, not misused. He said criminals should be treated as criminals, but stressed that human rights remain a right belonging to every person. He argued that a film like this should never be banned. Instead, he said it should be watched and learned from, so people understand how power gets misused
About the film and its team
Satluj is directed by Honey Trehan and produced under RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures. The cast includes Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan alongside Dosanjh
The film’s journey to release has already been a long one. It previously carried the title Panjab 95 and spent years caught up in disputes with the censor board before eventually reaching viewers through a streaming platform
(With inputs from ANI.)
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- Diljit Dosanjh
- Satluj
