ZEE5 pulled Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj from its Indian catalogue on July 5, 2026, just two days after launch on July 3. The film remains available internationally on ZEE5 Global, but Indian viewers lost access without explanation. Variety and Deadline reported the removal, citing unspecified “current developments.”
This is a pattern in Indian cinema. Controversial films get released, then withdrawn. The cycle repeats. Satluj endured certification battles for four years before finally reaching screens, only to disappear within 48 hours.
The Film’s Journey
Director Honey Trehan’s drama stars Diljit Dosanjh alongside Arjun Rampal. The story follows activist Jaswant Singh Khalra’s 25-year fight for justice. Over 25,000 people disappeared during Punjab’s 1980s-90s insurgency crackdowns. Families still wait for answers. The film tells their story.
Certification officials demanded 127 cuts before allowing release. The title changed twice: first Ghallughara, then Punjab ’95, finally Satluj. Each change was a compromise to get past censorship boards.
Why It Mattered
The uncut version was a victory. Four years of battles ended with the full story intact. Indian audiences could finally see what international viewers had access to. The win lasted 48 hours.
Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, who plays Suvinder in the film, posted an emotional reflection: “Feels both fulfilled and unfinished.” The cast poured years into this project. The removal felt like a punch.
The Censorship Question
ZEE5 cited no specific reason. No government order. No legal notice. Just “current developments.” This vagueness is the point. Filmmakers don’t know what they are fighting. They adapt to pressure that remains invisible.
The film stays available globally. Indian citizens cannot watch it in their own country.
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