Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj met with another setback after a Centre-appointed committee reportedly recommended that the ban on the film should continue.As reported by The New Indian Express, the panel concluded that the action taken against the film was justified, citing concerns related to India’s sovereignty, integrity and national security. The: Honey Trehan The directory is inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film examines his investigation into the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab between 1984 and 1994. It also describes the events that led to his abduction and execution in 1995.The recommendation comes shortly after the film’s removal from streaming in India. The development has once again brought ‘Satluj’ into the national spotlight and sparked a fresh debate on the decision.
The film was pulled from OTT shortly after release
‘Satluj’ aired on ZEE5 on July 3 after facing years of delay before its digital release. However, the film remained available for Indian audiences for less than two days before it was pulled from the platform. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting later began a detailed review of the film. An Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) has been formed under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, to review the content and recommend further action.According to reports, the committee has concluded that blocking the film under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act is justified. The provision empowers the government to restrict online content on grounds such as sovereignty, integrity, defense, national security, public order and relations with foreign states. The reports further claimed that the panel found the narrative to be unbalanced. It is reported that it believes that the film downplays the actions of the militants while putting more focus on the alleged excesses committed by the security forces during the militant years in Punjab.
Political reactions continue in Punjab
The controversy surrounding the Satluj has also drawn political attention in Punjab. Many organizations and political leaders have expressed different opinions about the government’s decision. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) urged the authorities to lift the bans imposed on the film. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal has announced plans to organize screenings of the film across Punjab in support of its release.The committee that reviewed the film reportedly included officials from several ministries. These include Information and Broadcasting, Home Affairs, Defense, Electronics and Information Technology, External Affairs, Women and Child Development, and Law and Justice.
The film will also go on OTT overseas
The latest development goes beyond India. ‘Satluj’ has again been removed from ZEE5’s international catalogue, making it unavailable for overseas viewers. Director Honey Trehan confirmed the removal while responding to SCREEN. When asked if the film has been picked up internationally, he simply replied, “Yes.” Earlier, after the film was suspended in India, ZEE5 issued an official statement saying, “Due to current developments, Satluj will not be available 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.”
The film remains the center of debate
The removal of ‘Satluj’ from libraries in India and abroad has intensified the conversations surrounding the film. Social media users continue to discuss the developments, while the future of the project remains uncertain. The film revisits one of the most sensitive chapters in the recent history of Punjab through the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra. Diljit Dosanjh headlines the cast, while Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan play important roles.As of now, no announcement has been made about when or if ‘Satluj’ will return to streaming.