Just a few days after its release, Satluj has been taken down from ZEE 5 in India. The film, starring Diljit Dosanjh, was released on the platform on July 3 but was removed two days later, adding another hurdle to its long and difficult release journey. This unexpected removal of the film has left many viewers surprised, especially after the film finally became available to watch after years of delays and controversy.
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj is inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who worked to uncover alleged illegal killings and secret cremations in Punjab during the 1990s. Before its release, the film had already faced several delays, including issues related to censorship.
After the film was removed, ZEE 5 confirmed that it would no longer be available for streaming in India “until further notice.” While the platform did not share the exact reason behind the decision, it said it is exploring all legal options to bring the film back for Indian viewers. For now, Satluj remains available on ZEE 5 Global in several countries, but not in India.
The sudden removal has once again sparked conversations about censorship and the challenges faced by films based on sensitive real-life events. Diljit Dosanjh also addressed the situation during an Instagram Live session. The actor said he wasn’t shocked by the film’s removal and admitted that the team had expected challenges even before its release.
Despite the sudden removal, Diljit remained positive. He said he believes the film has already reached many people and that its message cannot be taken away from those who have watched it.
For now, Satluj remains unavailable for viewers in India, and there is no official word on when it might return. The film’s journey continues to spark conversations about censorship and the challenges of bringing sensitive real-life stories to the screen.