Why Was Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj Movie Removed in India? Here’s What Happened

Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj movie has become the center of controversy after it reportedly disappeared from the OTT platform Zee5 only two days after its online release, reigniting debate over its sensitive subject matter.

Based on alleged human rights violations during the insurgency period in Punjab, the movie had already been delayed for years.

Satluj Movie Removed Shortly After OTT Release

Satluj was reportedly pulled from Zee5 after a mere two days of its release. The movie was reportedly sitting on the shelf for nearly four years awaiting a theatrical debut, but couldn’t get clearance for movie theaters.

The film was reportedly pulled after pressure was put on the film due to its politically charged content. But Zee5 or Indian officials have not yet released a formal statement of the reason for the deletion.

Film Originally Titled Punjab 95

The film was initially titled Punjab 95 and based on the efforts of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who exposed alleged cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s.

The project was delayed several times in the years. The international release was announced on February 7th, 2025 and a teaser was released as well, but the release was delayed before finally coming online as Satluj.

What Did Diljit Dosanjh Say?

Actress Diljit Dosanjh, who also starred in the movie, responded to the withdrawal in a post on social media platform X stating:

“This film can no longer be stopped, and no one can silence Khalra Sahib’s voice.”

His statement quickly gained attention on social media, with many users debating the controversy surrounding the film.

Cast of Satluj

Alongside Diljit Dosanjh, the film features:

• Arjun Rampal
• Suvinder Vicky
• Jagjeet Sandhu
• Geetika Vidya Ohlyan

Why Is the Film Controversial?

The movie depicts incidents associated with enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, which occurred in Punjab during the militancy period. A variety of reports and human rights groups have recorded human rights violations during that period and the subject remains sensitive in the context of Indian politics. Critics have raised some concerns about the film’s representation of certain aspects, while supporters praise it for its attention to a crucial period in history.

The controversy has raised fresh questions, as Satluj has been quietly pulled from its streaming platform, regarding the difficulties of movies on politically charged historical issues.