A viral video from Rajasthan shows a village gathering to watch Diljit Dosanjh's film Satluj on a large outdoor screen, defying its removal from the streaming platform ZEE5 in India. The clip, shared widely on social media, depicts men, women, and children assembled in an open area, turning the screening into a community event. While the exact location could not be independently verified, the video has sparked discussions online, with many users describing it as a show of solidarity with Punjabi cinema.
Film Removed from ZEE5 Within 48 Hours
Satluj was quietly released on ZEE5 on a Friday but became unavailable in India less than 48 hours later. In a statement, ZEE5 said the film would remain unavailable "until further notice" due to "current developments," without elaborating further. The platform has not encouraged viewers to access the film through unauthorised means and stated it is committed to pursuing the appropriate legal process to make the film available again in India.
Diljit Dosanjh Reacts to Removal
Reacting during an Instagram Live session from the United States, where he is currently touring, Diljit Dosanjh said he had anticipated the film's removal. "I had a feeling on Friday that something like this would happen. I thought it would happen on Monday when offices opened, but I didn't expect it to happen on Sunday evening," he said. The actor added that the film was released without any promotional campaign because the team expected it could face restrictions. "I am satisfied that people have seen the film. It has reached them," he said, noting that he had also seen videos of community screenings, including one reportedly held at a gurdwara in Rajasthan.
Film Based on Human Rights Activist Jaswant Singh Khalra
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab between 1984 and 1994. Khalra was abducted in 1995 and never returned. In 2005, four Punjab Police personnel were convicted in his abduction and murder case, with their sentences later enhanced to life imprisonment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Previous Censorship Hurdles
Originally titled Punjab '95, the film remained in limbo for more than three years after the filmmakers declined to accept 127 cuts reportedly suggested by the Central Board of Film Certification. Although the title was later changed to Satluj, its release has continued to face hurdles. The community screening in Rajasthan underscores the ongoing public interest in the film despite these obstacles.
