'Could Be Misused By Anti-India Elements': Why Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj Was Taken Down From ZEE5

After a detailed assessment, the film Satluj starring Diljit Dosanjh has been pulled from the streaming platform ZEE5 due to "misuse of portions of the film by anti-India elements", sources said. The development follows the film's direct-to-OTT release and bypassing theatrical release.

Film Faced Certification Hurdles Before OTT Release

Satluj was originally submitted as a theatrical release and was not approved in the version it was submitted for certification, sources said. Therefore, the makers decided to go for the direct digital release rather than with the theatrical release.

After it was released on ZEE5, police reportedly checked the movie, and found some of its material objectionable. These scenes might be "misused" by anti-India elements, and the film's takedown from the platform is sought, according to the sources.

Long Journey Marked By Delays And Title Changes

The furor has highlighted the extended production and release timeline of the film. It is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and has been through several changes in its title over the years.

It was initially titled Ghallughara and then re-titled to be Punjab '95 before finally coming out as Satluj. After years of delay because of certification problems, it was finally skipped in favour of an OTT premiere.

Political Leaders And Filmmakers React To The Removal

Political reactions have been heard in Punjab over the removal of the film. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the decision and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) raised questions about the removal of a film based on the life of khalra. The controversy has now grown into a broader political debate, as leaders from various parties speak about the issue.

Responding to this development Diljit Dosanjh has said that the film was facing the same fate as Jaswant Singh Khalra, saying that his voice was silenced then and the film had been done to the same extent. The director of the film, Honey Trehan, also expressed dismay over the film, saying that it finally hit the theaters after years of delays, and was pulled down almost immediately after the release.

ZEE5 Says It Is Working To Restore The Film

If the current rules don't change, films and series that air directly on OTT won't need pre-certification. But streaming services operate under a self-regulatory framework and are subject to government oversight in the event of content that is sensitive or potentially harmful.

According to ZEE5's official statement, viewers in India will not be able to watch Satluj on the ZEE5 platform for the time being. The platform has stated that it will continue to promote the movie and its creators, as it seeks justice in an effort to return the film to Indian audiences.