Why 'Satluj' was removed from OTT: The inside story
Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' has become one of the most controversial films in Punjab in recent years. It is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film's release was delayed for nearly four years due to a prolonged legal dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Its original name was 'Punjab '95', which was changed to 'Satluj'. The film was released on ZEE5 on July 3, but was removed from the platform in India about 48 hours later.
ZEE5 cited "prevailing circumstances," while government sources indicated that the move was due to security concerns. Following the film's removal, community screenings began in Punjab's villages and gurdwaras, sparking a new debate on freedom of expression and censorship. The Shiromani Akali Dal announced it would bear the cost of screenings in every village in Punjab, while Aam Aadmi Party MLA and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also expressed intentions to organise community screenings in his area.
The film was entangled in legal issues with the censor board for several years
The film is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who documented illegal cremations and disappearances during the militancy in Punjab. He was later kidnapped and murdered in 1995. The film could not be released for several years as the CBFC demanded several major changes. The board not only asked for the film's name to be changed but also demanded that Jaswant Singh Khalra's name be altered. However, the filmmakers refused to change the story. Consequently, the film was embroiled in a legal dispute with the censor board for several years, delaying its release by almost four years. Finally, the film was released on ZEE5 on July 3. At that time, people thought the controversy surrounding the film was over. But the opposite happened. Just two days after its release, ZEE5 stopped the film from being viewed in India. ZEE5 stated that the decision was made in light of "prevailing circumstances" and that the company was considering legal options. Later, government sources revealed that the central government had asked for the film to be removed citing security reasons.
What is the film's story
Jaswant Singh Khalra was a human rights activist who exposed fake encounters and the secret cremation of unclaimed bodies in Punjab during the peak of militancy in the 1990s. He raised his voice for 22,000 young Sikhs and uncovered the clandestine burning of thousands of unclaimed bodies. For this, he conducted investigations at several cremation grounds in the state and gathered data. The police kidnapped him and staged a fake encounter. On September 6, 1995, the police took Khalra from his home, killed him, and threw his body into a river. A CBI investigation was conducted, resulting in life imprisonment for four police officers and seven-year sentences for the other accused.
Preparations for censorship on OTT
The central government is considering making CBFC certification mandatory for films released directly on OTT platforms. Currently, this rule applies only to films released in theatres. If implemented, OTT films may also require a censor certificate before release. It is not yet clear whether this arrangement will be limited to films or will also apply to web series and documentaries.
Political reaction from Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress
Before the Punjab Assembly elections, several parties, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Shiromani Akali Dal, and Congress, protested the decision to remove the film. Diljit Dosanjh wrote on social media that the same thing happened to "Satluj" as happened to Jaswant Singh Khalra. Former Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal called ZEE5's decision unfortunate, stating that a film depicting Punjab's history and Khalra's sacrifice should not be stopped in this manner. ZEE5 said the film was receiving a good response, but due to prevailing circumstances, it has been temporarily removed in India. The company also mentioned plans to make it available again through legal means.