Diljit Dosanjh-Satluj Controversy: 5 Pressing Questions About Censor Board Hurdles, Title Changes, OTT Takedown Answered

Diljit Dosanjh's movie Satluj has been pulled down from the streaming service ZEE5 around 48 hours after it dropped on the platform on July 3. It also stars Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan and is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who went missing in 1995. The movie has stirred a massive controversy, especially after it was taken down by the streaming platform within 2 days after its silent release.

Who was Jaswant Singh Khalra, and why did Honey Trehan-Diljit Dosanjh make a movie about him? 

In Satluj, Diljit essays the role of Jaswant Singh Khalra. The human rights activist formerly worked as a director of a bank in the city of Amritsar in Punjab during militancy in the state. When several people reportedly went missing under suspicious circumstances, Khalra started digging deep into the alleged disappearance of 25,000 people. He claimed the Punjab Police illegally cremated thousands of locals, mostly youth, allegedly without informing their family members.

Operation Blue Star, the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots prompted Khalra to gather information on four major cases: the Behla killings, where security forces allegedly used six local villagers as human shields, the cremation of 25,000 unidentified bodies in Punjab, and the killing of over 2,000 police officers who allegedly did not cooperate with counter-terror operations. In 1995, Khalra went missing under mysterious circumstances and was later allegedly killed in custody. Satluj chronicles the life, death and aftermath of the alleged killing of Jaswant Singh Khalra.

Also read: Punjab 95: Meet The Slain Sikh Activist, Jaswant Singh Khalra On Whom Diljit Dosanjh Starrer Is Based On

Why was the movie title changed thrice?

The project has carried three names on its way to release. It was originally titled "Ghallughara," a historic term for the massacre of Sikhs in 1746, 1762 and 1984. After the first round of CBFC scrutiny, the makers were advised to change the title to 'Punjab '95'. Finally, the film debuted on Zee 5 with the title Satluj. The release of the Diljit Dosanjh starrer preceded no usual promotions. 

Why did Satluj not release in theatres? 

The primary reason behind Satluj skipping theatrical release in India is the multiple cuts enforced by CBFC. The movie was stuck with the censor board for over three years, with the makers and CBFC officials going back and forth with release negotiations. The team stood their ground and refused to release the movie with the changes suggested by the censor board, leading to a direct-to-OTT release. 

Celebrating the 'no cut' release of the movie on Zee 5, Diljit Dosanjh, in a social media statement, said, "Our film has finally been released on Zee5. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep the original title, Punjab 95, for certain reasons, so it is now called Satluj. But there are absolutely no cuts in the film. The version I watched in theatres two years ago is exactly the same one I watched at home last week. If even a single cut had been made, I would not have promoted the film." 

What was the standoff between movie makers and CBFC? 

Production house RSVP applied for certification for the film at India's Central Board of Film Certification in late 2022. It was originally titled Ghallughara. The six-month process ended with the film getting 21 cuts and a mandated title change to Punjab '95. RSVP appealed that ruling in the Bombay High Court. Around the same time, the film was withdrawn from its planned gala premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. After the heading in the High Court, the movie was sent back to CBFC's revised committee. This time, the demanded cuts had increased from 21 to 127, with the makers alleging that the board demanded that the name of the protagonist of the biographical drama be changed.

Satluj taken down within 2 days: What did Zee 5 say?

On July 3, Punjab '95 released silently on ZEE5 as Satluj. Reportedly, it was the director's cut with no changes as demanded by the CBFC. On its release, Trehan said, "From the very beginning, our intention was to tell this story with honesty, sensitivity and without compromise. After a long wait, audiences will finally witness our labour of love and hard work. Satluj is not just the story of one individual; it is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Everyone associated with the film deeply believed in the importance of this narrative, as it draws inspiration from the life of Jaswant Singh."

Diljit said during an Instagram live session that while Satluj is streaming on ZEE5 for now, he was sure that it would be pulled down soon. He also asked fans to download it for future viewing. He also expressed surprise that it came on OTT in the first place. “Today is Saturday. I feel it could be taken down by Monday. But no worries, you download it,” he said. As the actor-singer predicted, Satluj was removed from ZEE5 India "till further notice" on July 3.

Also Read: What Triggered The Removal Of Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj From Zee 5?