The controversy is over Diljit DosanjhSatluj’s film revolutionized politics. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called the actor-singer an “impostor” while denying allegations that the Center had anything to do with getting the film from Zee5.Speaking in Ludhiana, Bittu said that the government has no control over OTT platforms and dismissed claims that political pressure led to the removal of the film. Satluj disappeared from Zee5 within 48 hours of its release, sparking criticism from sections of the Punjabi film industry, social media users and the Punjab government.Bittu claimed that the makers themselves scrapped the film after getting the money they wanted.“Diljit Dosanjh only thinks about money,” he said.He questioned the narrative surrounding the removal of the film. “We should understand that something is wrong when Diljit Dosanjh said that the film will be available on the OTT platform for two-three days and then removed.“It seems that when they got the necessary money, they removed the film. The government has no control over OTT platforms,” ​​he added.
Bittu targets Diljit on Chamkila and his public image
Bittu did not stop the Satluj controversy. He also criticized Diljit for his film choices and public image.Referring to Amar Singh Chamkila, Bittu said, “If Diljit Dosanjh had any respect for the women in his family, like his mother or sister, he would not have acted in the movie Chamkila.”He accused the actor of only making the film to make money and questioned why he had not made a film on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra.The Union minister also described Diljit as an “impostor” and accused him of misleading the people of Punjab while living in Los Angeles.“He misled Punjab while sitting in Los Angeles,” Bittu said.Talking about Diljit’s concerts abroad, he admitted that the singer had demanded that people carrying Khalistan flags be removed from his shows before asking, “Which agencies are behind Diljit?”
“I’m not against the movie”
Bittu said he was not against films based on the militancy years in Punjab but felt Satluj presented only one side of the story.“I am not against the movie, but the one-sided story should not be shown,” he said.He also challenged Diljit Dosanjh and director Honey Trehan to make a film on the police officers who lost their lives during the insurgency.“Will Diljit Dosanjh and Honey Trehan make a movie on cops killed during 1984?” he asked.
Why is Satluj facing controversy?
The debate started after Satluj was pulled from Zee5 just two days after it started streaming. The sudden move led many to question whether the platform acted under political pressure.Adding to the speculation, Diljit had earlier said that the film will only be available on the platform for a short time before being taken down.The film reportedly explores the militant Punjab years and includes references to the Beant Singh government and the role of the Punjab Police during that period.