A film starring Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, based on the life of Sikh human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was removed from an Indian streaming platform within two days of its release, following a four-year struggle with censors. The film, now titled 'Satluj', premiered on ZEE5 last week but became unavailable in India before the weekend concluded, though it remains accessible internationally via ZEE5 Global.
Originally titled 'Ghallughara' (meaning 'massacre' or 'genocide') and later 'Punjab '95', the film recounts Khalra's efforts to document over 25,000 alleged extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s. This period saw a deadly insurgency in the northern Indian state, culminating in Khalra's abduction and murder in 1995. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly demanded 127 cuts and changes, including removing Khalra's name, references to the Punjab police, and even the disclaimer about the film being inspired by true events, according to director Honey Trehan.
Filmmakers challenged the CBFC's demands in the Bombay High Court before withdrawing their case. The film was also withdrawn from its planned gala premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, with sources suggesting 'political forces' were involved. Refusing to release a 'compromised' version, the creators opted to bypass a theatrical release and instead brought the uncut film directly to ZEE5 under its third title, 'Satluj'.
ZEE5 issued a statement explaining that 'Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice' due to 'current developments', without elaborating further. However, sources close to the matter have indicated that the film was removed after a review suggested certain portions 'could be misused by anti-India forces'. Trehan expressed his shock, stating he learned of the removal on Sunday evening and was 'at a loss right now'.
Under Indian law, films intended for theatrical release must be certified by the CBFC. However, content made exclusively for streaming platforms is governed by the Information Technology Rules, 2021, which place the onus on platforms like ZEE5, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video to regulate their content and ensure compliance with Indian law. This distinction highlights the complex regulatory landscape for media in India, especially for narratives touching on sensitive historical events.