Diljit Dosanjh’s film Satluj was taken off ZEE5 two days after its Indian release, sparking widespread debate. The movie draws from the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who looked into reports of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during Punjab’s separatist insurgency. Khalra was later abducted and killed, leading to convictions of several Punjab police officers. The project had already encountered prolonged delays over certification disputes and requested edits. Its sudden removal has revived talks about difficulties in releasing films on politically charged historical topics in India. Satluj follows an activist probing claims of disappearances, unlawful deaths and secret cremations from the early 1980s to mid-1990s, when Sikh militants sought an independent Khalistan state amid clashes with security forces. The period saw thousands of deaths and accusations of arbitrary arrests by authorities, who maintained that firm actions were needed against militancy. Khalra’s efforts centered on identifying victims and pursuing accountability. He vanished in 1995 after abduction and was later confirmed murdered. The film earned positive notices, with The Hollywood Reporter India calling it one of the year’s best Indian releases. It appeared on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, but was removed two days later. The platform stated it would stay unavailable in India until further notice due to ongoing developments, without elaborating. Reports indicated the producer cited government orders, though officials have not confirmed this. Dosanjh noted in a live video that he anticipated issues but was surprised by the speed, adding that limited promotion helped the film reach release. He expressed satisfaction that viewers could finally see it after years of delays. ZEE5 voiced support for the project and hoped for its return. Earlier hurdles included a title change from Ghallughara, linked to historical Sikh events, to Punjab ’95 after certification requests. The film was pulled from a planned Toronto festival premiere in 2023 amid unresolved issues.
