The controversy surrounding: Diljit Dosanjh‘Satluj’ continues to stir debate, along with the filmmaker Gurvinder Singh is now considering removing the film from Zee5 shortly after its July 3 premiere. While describing the censorship as “disheartening,” Singh believes that the film’s direct and uncompromising portrayal of its subject makes it vulnerable to such action.‘Satluj’, directed by: Honey Trehanbased on the life of: human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated alleged extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the 1990s.Speaking to Mid-Day about the controversy, Gurvinder Singh admitted that the fate of the film reflects the current socio-political climate. While sympathizing with the makers, he also felt that they might have expected such challenges due to the nature of the subject matter.“The censorship that the film went through was disheartening. But that’s the reality of the times we live in, and he [Trehan] should have prepared [for this]he said.
Gurvinder Singh says the film’s straightforward storytelling invites scrutiny
The National Award-winning filmmaker observed that there are alternative ways of telling the story that might have attracted a little resistance. However, he acknowledged that Honey Trehan deliberately chose a difficult approach to maximize the impact of the film.Elaborating on his point, Singh said, “There are other ways of telling the story. [That way] the government could have said, ‘Dekhne do logo ko.’ When the government sees my films, they feel, ‘Iss mein kya hai? Dekhne do.’ But Honey’s approach is that the film should have such an impact and reach everyone. In that context, it’s a very well-made movie. But the film faces this whole problem because it’s very clear, because the government knows that it can arouse people of different beliefs for different reasons.“Recalling his experience of watching ‘Satluj’ during a preview screening in Chandigarh, Gurvinder Singh said the film left a lasting emotional impact on him, even though its storytelling style differed from his own filmmaking sensibilities.“It’s not my kind of film because it doesn’t leave anything to you to imagine. It clearly shows everything, and that’s fine if the filmmaker feels that’s the way it needs to be to tell the story in the best possible way. I was angry about what happened at that time. So, they were successful in doing that,” he shared.
‘Satluj’ remains at the center of the censorship debate
Ever since Zee5 removed ‘Satluj’ just days after its digital premiere, the film has been at the center of a larger conversation about censorship and creative freedom. Many members of the film fraternity, along with political leaders, have questioned the decision to pull the film, with the debate continuing to rage across the country.