As the controversy around Diljit DosanjhSatluj’s film continues, veteran actor Annu Kapoor: shared a different opinion, supporting the government’s decision to block the film and urging its makers to seek legal recourse instead of publicly criticizing the move.Directed by: Honey Trehan‘Satluj’ originally titled ‘Punjab 95’ aired on ZEE5 on July 3 after remaining embroiled in a four-year-long battle with Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). However, the film was removed from the streaming platform within 48 hours following a directive from the Government of India. While many members of the film fraternity criticized the ban and raised concerns about censorship and creative freedom, Kapoor believes the matter should be handled through the legal system.The actor said in an interview with Kadak, “If that’s the case, bring the thing to it Supreme Court. If the Censor Board declares that the film is unacceptable, then knock on the doors of the Supreme Court. There is the right channel to follow, right? What is the cause of its crying?”Responding to Diljit Dosanjh’s earlier comments about separating art from politics, Kapoor argued that filmmakers know the beginning when they choose to make a film on a controversial subject. He argued that the appropriate course of action was to challenge the court’s decision rather than appeal to public sentiment.“You made the film, and the rules clearly say that if the Censor Board doesn’t give it a certificate, you have to go to the Supreme Court. Everyone knows it’s a controversial subject, and now you’re begging the public for sympathy. Why indulge in self-pity? Go to the Supreme Court. What’s the reason for crying?”Kapoor also defended the government’s concerns when a film is believed to have the potential to disturb public order or national security. Emphasizing that maintaining peace should precede the release of a film, he said, “Is anarchy more important than releasing a film? Is that more important than the roads of my country being burned, houses being burned, and mothers and sisters being burned alive? What is more important? As a member of the film industry, I say that what is more important to me in my society is that there is peace.“Following the government’s directive, ZEE5 removed ‘Satluj’ from its catalog and issued a statement explaining the decision.“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.” Shortly after the shoot, pirated versions of the film reportedly started circulating online.Responding to the development, an official spokesperson for co-producer Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies confirmed to SCREEN that the government ordered the removal of the film, while expressing optimism that it will return to streaming soon.According to PTI, a government official said that the film was originally submitted to the CBFC in 2022 under the title ‘Punjab 95’, but the makers refused to implement the board’s proposed 127 cuts. The official claimed that the film was later released directly on an OTT platform under a different title without obtaining CBFC certification. “They continued to sit through the proposed cuts and finally released the movie quietly on OTT with a new title. OTT is not under the jurisdiction of CBFC. When the government came to know about the matter, Zee was asked to take it (the film) down. The direction was given due to security concerns. The OTT platform is asked to comply with the obligations under the intermediary guidelines. If they want to release the film in theaters and OTT, they have to follow the prescribed rules.Before shooting the film, director Honey Trehan thanked ZEE5 and the producers for standing by the project. He also admitted that, despite years of fighting, he still doesn’t know who opposed the film.“If someone asks me who has a problem with the film, I honestly don’t know. I don’t have a face. I don’t have a name. Everything came through third parties or lawyers,” he said to Mid-Day.‘Satluj’ is based on one of the most tumultuous chapters in Punjab’s history, examining enforced disappearances, alleged extrajudicial killings and illegal detentions linked to the state’s counter-insurgency operations against Khalistani militancy in the 1980s and 1990s. The film centers on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, whose investigation into the alleged illegal cremation of unidentified bodies ultimately leads to his own disappearance. Apart from Diljit Dosanjh, the film has Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in important roles.