Why Was Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj Removed From ZEE5 Just 2 Days After Release?

Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj, based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was taken down from ZEE5 on Sunday, just two days after premiering on the platform.

ZEE5 Says Film Unavailable Until Further Notice

Announcing the decision, the OTT platform said, "In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice."

A note posted by ZEE on social media read, "The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life. At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives." ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ BTS Video: Diljit Dosanjh Touches Veteran Actor Naseeruddin Shah’s Feet, Internet Reacts.

Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj Removed From ZEE5 Days After Release

It further read, "In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity. Our commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering." Diljit Dosanjh Death Remarks: Fans Worried After Singer’s Cryptic Comments at Calgary Concert (Watch Video).

Years Of Censorship Dispute Delayed The Release

Honey Trehan's much-awaited film Satluj, which was previously titled Punjab 95, released on ZEE5 on July 3 after years of delays.

The film's prolonged delay stemmed from a censorship dispute that began after it was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022. Over several months, the board sought numerous cuts before granting certification. In September 2023, Punjab 95 was scheduled to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). However, the filmmakers were informed by Indian authorities that the screening would have to be withdrawn.

In an exclusive interview with SCREEN last year, Honey Trehan detailed the prolonged certification process. He said he made 21 cuts reluctantly at first, hoping the film would clear censorship, and noted that authorities also wanted the film's title changed and the line "inspired from true events" removed. He added that after every fresh print was submitted, more cuts kept getting demanded.

According to the filmmaker, the cycle continued throughout 2024, with fresh cuts being suggested after every submission. At the beginning of 2025, there were discussions about releasing the film outside India, but that plan, too, did not materialise.

Trehan had also detailed some of the specific changes the CBFC sought, describing certain demands as "non-negotiable," including altering Khalra's name, removing shots of the Indian flag, cutting all "gurbani" audio, avoiding references to Punjab police, deleting the names of locations where bodies were found in the morgue, and changing the film's title altogether.

Case Reached Bombay High Court In 2023

The matter had also reached the Bombay High Court in 2023. However, at a crucial stage, the producers were advised to withdraw the case. What followed, according to Honey Trehan, was a series of postponements and continued uncertainty. He had revealed that the film would eventually be released under the title Sutlej and that the production team had complied with all the cuts sought by the authorities.

About The Film

Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Kanwaljeet Singh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, among others, Satluj revisits one of Punjab's darkest chapters, focusing on the disappearances, alleged extra-judicial killings and illegal detentions linked to the state's counter-insurgency operations against Khalistani militancy during the 1980s and 1990s.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2026 11:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).