Diljit DosanjhThe latest release has created quite a stir in Bollywood. From dropping on OTT platforms with little or no promo to being removed within 2 days of its release, the film has sparked a huge online debate among viewers as to why it has been shelved again. Now, fellow celebrities are also weighing in on the matter, which also includes: Anurag Basu. In a post on social media, he called for the removal of the film from the streaming platform, and even compared the situation to another international film director who faced the same fate.
Anurag: Basu: talk about Honey Trehan ‘s’Satluj: ‘ deleted
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Basu shared his own thoughts on ‘Satluj’ and joined the ongoing debate about the movie’s release, and removal from streaming platforms.He compared Dosanjh’s film to ‘Jafar Sewing‘, an Iranian director who faced a similar fate in his homeland. He wrote, “#Satluj I never thought the day would come when Honey Trehan faced what Jafar Panahi faced in Iran.” He compared the situation of Honey Trehan to the situation of Panahi, a famous Iranian director, who came from abroad to promote ‘It Was Just An Accident’, when he was given a legal notice by the Tehran authorities. According to the BBC, he was served a 1-year prison sentence, along with a two-year travel ban as well as probation.
‘Satluj’ removed from OTT, prompting fans to share illegal links
Within just two days of its release, ‘Satluj’ follows the life of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra as he investigates illegal cremations and their corrupt connections in Punjab in the 1990s. The film was originally titled ‘Punjab 95’, and was made about 3 to 4 years ago. However, the film faced many problems for its release.The film was released on ZEE5 just 2 to 3 days ago, however, recently the platform completely removed the project from their platform and issued a formal announcement regarding the matter. Their statement, which was uploaded on various social media channels, read: “The response to Satluj since its release has been overwhelming. We are very grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film. Your love and support means a lot to us and everyone who brings this story to life.“They added that, “At ZEE5, we firmly stand by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe that a powerful story has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives.” However, the team also confirmed that the film will not be available for streaming in India until “further notice.”‘Satluj’ is also intended to be screened at the Toronto Film Festival in 2023, a year after it was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification; however, as Indian authorities raised concerns at the time, the premiere was ultimately cancelled.