‘Satluj’ Row: Sikh Institutions Defy Ban, Organise Screening of Diljit Dosanjh’s Film After Its Removal From OTT Platform
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is organizing public screenings of Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' after its sudden removal from ZEE5 India. The biographical drama about human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra faced over 120 cuts from the CBFC before its brief OTT release.
In a significant development that has ignited debate around artistic freedom and historical narratives, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has initiated public screenings of Diljit Dosanjh's controversial film Satluj. This move comes in direct defiance of the film's sudden removal from the streaming platform ZEE5 India, just two days after its much-anticipated release on July 3, 2026. 'What I Had Feared Actually Happened': Diljit Dosanjh Reacts After 'Satluj' Is Removed From Zee5 India (Watch).
Satluj, a biographical drama chronicling the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was pulled from the platform on July 5, 2026, citing "current developments" a decision that has sparked widespread outrage across the Sikh community and beyond.
‘Satluj’Movie Begins Screenings at Gurudwaras
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has unequivocally expressed its objection to the ban on Satluj, emphasising the film's crucial historical context. DSGMC President Harmeet Singh Kalka issued a statement confirming that the committee would proceed with public screenings and educational seminars to ensure the film reaches a wider audience.
"Since this film is a biographical portrayal of Jaswant Singh Khalra, it depicts how a social activist opened people's eyes to the truth," Kalka stated. He further highlighted Khalra's monumental efforts in uncovering evidence of 25,000 bodies allegedly cremated as 'unclaimed' in Punjab between 1984 and 1994. Kalka stressed that "Suppressing this story, preventing the events of that dark era from reaching the public, is deeply wrong, and it has sparked immense outrage across the Sikh community."
The DSGMC has called upon gurdwara committees in various states to organise their own screenings and plans to host seminars in educational institutions to disseminate knowledge about Khalra's life and legacy.
Why ‘Satluj’ Was Banned
The journey of 'Satluj' to the screen has been fraught with challenges. Originally titled Ghallughara and later Panjab 95, the film endured a nearly four-year battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The censor board reportedly demanded an exorbitant number of cuts ranging from over 120 to 127 changes and a title alteration.
Director Honey Trehan and the producers, Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures, chose to bypass a theatrical release rather than comply with these extensive cuts. Consequently, the uncut version of Satluj premiered on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026. However, its availability was short-lived, as the platform removed it from its Indian catalogue within 48 hours, on July 5, 2026. Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj’ Leaked Online: Singer-Actor Reacts After Fans Share Pirated Links Following Its Removal From OTT Platform.
Reports suggest that concerns were raised that certain elements of the biopic could potentially be misused by "anti-India elements," leading to its swift removal. ZEE5 has maintained that it stands by the film's creative vision and is exploring options to restore it, while director Honey Trehan has previously asserted the film as an exercise of freedom of speech, inviting legal challenges rather than pre-censorship.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2026 04:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
