Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj: Why is the movie controversial and how is it linked to Punjab insurgency
Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj was removed from ZEE5 on 5 July, two days after it premiered on the streaming service. This means the movie based on
Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj was removed from ZEE5 on 5 July, two days after it premiered on the streaming service. This means the movie based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, is now unavailable in India ZEE5 cited ‘developments’ as the reason for removing the movie. “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,” it said in a statement on social media. Also Read | Diljit Dosanjh reacts after Satluj is banned from ZEE5 The film, however, remains available to stream abroad through ZEE5 Global. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What is the central theme of the movie Satluj? ⌵ Satluj, originally titled Punjab '95, focuses on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, exploring his efforts to expose enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the violent period in Punjab in the 1990s. 2 Why was Satluj removed from ZEE5 shortly after its premiere? ⌵ Satluj was removed from ZEE5 due to 'developments' cited by the platform, with the film becoming unavailable in India just two days after its premiere on July 3, 2023. 3 How has the public reacted to Satluj since its release? ⌵ The film has received overwhelmingly positive reactions, with viewers praising it as one of the most powerful Hindi films, highlighting its emotional intensity and the performances, particularly by Diljit Dosanjh.
4 What historical context does Satluj address? ⌵ Satluj addresses the human rights violations in Punjab during a turbulent period, particularly the issue of mass disappearances and state-sanctioned killings that were prevalent during the militancy years. 5 Who was Jaswant Singh Khalra and what was his significance? ⌵ Jaswant Singh Khalra was a prominent human rights activist known for exposing illegal killings and secret cremations in Punjab during the 1990s; his work brought national and international attention to human rights issues in the region. Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP alongside MacGuffin Pictures, Satluj was released on ZEE5 on July 3 after certification troubles held it up for around three years. Along with Diljit Dosanjh, the film also features Kanwaljeet Singh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in key roles. The film had remained in limbo after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly asked for 127 cuts. This was challenged in the Bombay High Court, but the case was later withdrawn. In 2023, the film was also withdrawn from a planned premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. What is Satluj or Punjab '95 about? The film, first conceived as Punjab '95, chronicles the life and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra, the human rights activist who investigated alleged cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Punjab in the 1990s. It is basically a biographical drama centred on Khalra's efforts to document and expose alleged human rights violations during one of Punjab's most violent periods.
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