‘Satluj’ Controversy Explained: Diljit Dosanjh Defies Ban After Zee5 Pulls Film, Celebs React
Diljit Dosanjh reacted after ‘Satluj’ was pulled from ZEE5, urging fans to share downloaded copies.
Honey Trehan’s highly anticipated political thriller ‘Satluj’ arrived quietly on ZEE5 on July 3, only to be unceremoniously removed from the streaming platform just two days later on July 5. The sudden takedown has sparked a massive wave of online piracy, fiery statements from the film's lead, Diljit Dosanjh, and strong reactions from the film fraternity. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP Movies and MacGuffin Pictures, the biographical drama features Dosanjh alongside Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Varun Badola, and Suvinder Vicky (playing SSP Sugga, inspired by the late SSP Ajit Singh Sandhu).
The film follows the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who investigated the alleged illegal cremations and extrajudicial killings of 25,000 Sikh youths by the Punjab Police in the 1980s and 1990s before his own abduction and alleged murder in 1995. The narrative slightly fictionalizes certain figures, altering KPS Gill’s name to IPS Bitta and Beant Singh to Anant Singh.
‘Satluj’ has faced an uphill battle for nearly four years. Originally launched in 2022 as ‘Ghallughara’, the film's title was changed to ‘Panjab '95’ after the CBFC demanded 21 cuts. The Revision Committee later increased the demand to a staggering 120 to 127 cuts. The censorship struggles even forced the film to be withdrawn from its 2023 premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Ultimately, the makers opted for a guerrilla release of the uncut version on ZEE5 under the final title, ‘Satluj’.
Following its removal, ZEE5 issued a statement explaining the pause: “The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film... At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact.” They added, “In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable 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 opportunity.”
Reacting to the takedown, director Honey Trehan shared a short message on Instagram: “Tera bhana meetha lage.”
Meanwhile, Diljit Dosanjh took to Instagram Live on Monday, revealing he expected the ban all along. “This was expected from day one, and that is why we couldn't even promote the film and released it without telling anyone. If we had announced the release and promoted it two days prior, it wouldn't have been released at all,” he shared. Expressing his frustration over the censorship, he said, “The incident took place in 1995 and they didn't let people talk about it then. It is happening even today. Hadd ho gayi! I'm a little sad. We're still standing there, this is 2026.”
Diljit Dosanjh boldly defied the takedown by encouraging fans to circulate the downloaded copies they managed to secure during the 48-hour release window. “Now you can share it among yourselves, it's your film... Once anything lands online, it never gets deleted,” he urged. Challenging the authorities, he added, “Lo kar lo block, everyone has the film downloaded. What will you do now? These people are either uneducated or innocent if they think they can remove anything from the internet.” Sending a strong message, he affirmed, “You can trouble me as much as you want. I am with Punjab till the day I die.”
The actor also clarified that the makers fought this exhausting battle without the industry's backing. “We've been fighting to get this film released for the last three to four years. We never went to anyone asking for support. I never asked anyone from my industry, nor did I ever ask anyone in Bollywood to help release our film, support us, or stand by us. We fought this battle ourselves,” Diljit Dosanjh revealed, noting that Honey Trehan had given six years of his life to the project.
Earlier, Diljit Dosanjh had shared an emotional note about the film’s uncertain fate: “Mai Aksar Team Nu Pushda Rehnda C Ke Eh Film Kadey v Ni Augi? Asi Apni Kahani Nhi Das Sakde? Khalra Saab Di Avaaz Nu 1995 ch v Dabaa Dita Geya.. Te Aj V Ona Di Avaaz Nu Dabaa Rahe Aa.. Asi Kithey Khadey An? Kang Bhaji Always Mainu Kehnde c Samaa Badluga film Ek Din Zarur Release Hougi. SHUKAR SHUKAR BAS SHUKAR.”
As pirated copies flooded social media in response to Dosanjh's call to action, ZEE5 released a follow-up statement condemning the piracy: “We are hopeful and doing everything we can. Please do not support piracy. We remain committed to exploring every possible avenue to bring Satluj back to you.” The streamer also released a poster reading, “We are doing our bit to bring Satluj back. Please do yours, don't support piracy.”
The controversy has drawn sharp reactions from various public figures. Former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh penned a powerful note: “Jallianwala Bagh stands as one of history's greatest massacres. It was carried out by a colonial regime. But the question that haunts me after watching Jaswant Singh Khalra is different: When those entrusted to protect their own people are accused of becoming the source of their greatest fear... Khalra's courage exposed evidence of alleged illegal disappearances and secret cremations, reminding us that the abuse of state power can leave wounds that last for generations. Punjab's mothers are still waiting for answers. Truth cannot remain buried forever.”
Jallianwala Bagh stands as one of history’s greatest massacres. It was carried out by a colonial regime. But the question that haunts me after watching Jaswant Singh Khalra is different:
What is more painful than oppression by an outsider? When those entrusted to protect their… pic.twitter.com/zb71vPhKss— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 5, 2026
Actor Ranvir Shorey also expressed his disappointment, writing, “Utterly disappointing to hear 'Satluj' had been pulled! Have been waiting to watch it! For a land that has an ancient history and heritage of learning from stories, I don't know why we keep emboldening a culture of burying them.”
Utterly disappointing to hear ‘Satluj’ had been pulled! Have been waiting to watch it! For a land that has an ancient history and heritage of learning from stories, I don’t know why we keep emboldening a culture of burying them. https://t.co/aee90o6pLT
— Ranvir Shorey (@RanvirShorey) July 5, 2026
Filmmaker Onir echoed this sentiment: “Very Sad. Watched only once and then this thing happened. Infuriating and very very unfortunate.” Additionally, comedian Varun Grover re-shared a post that perfectly summed up the growing outrage: “Censorship in such a way is deeply problematic! Movies across the political spectrum should exist: it should be the prerogative of the audience to accept or reject a film!”
