'Detailed Review' Led To 'Satluj' Takedown: 'Could Be Misused By Anti-India Elements'
'Detailed Review' Led To 'Satluj' Takedown: 'Could Be Misused By Anti-India Elements' Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 11:24 IST Sources said
'Detailed Review' Led To 'Satluj' Takedown: 'Could Be Misused By Anti-India Elements' Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 11:24 IST Sources said Satluj had originally applied for a theatrical release but was not cleared in the form in which it was submitted Rapid Read Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj has been removed from Zee5 The decision to take down Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj from streaming platform ZEE5 followed a detailed review of the film, with authorities flagging concerns that certain portions could potentially be misused by anti-India elements, sources have told News18. Sources said Satluj had originally applied for a theatrical release but was not cleared in the form in which it was submitted. The film was subsequently released directly on an OTT platform instead of hitting cinemas. According to sources, concerns were raised over certain portions of the film after its digital release.
They said those portions could potentially be misused by anti-India elements, prompting authorities to seek its removal from the platform. ALSO READ | Sutluj X Review: Diljit Dosanjh Delivers ‘Career Best’ Performance In ‘Meaningful, Powerful’ Film The development has reignited the controversy surrounding the film, which is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Originally titled Ghallughara before being renamed Punjab ’95 and eventually Satluj, the project spent years in limbo amid certification issues and multiple title changes before bypassing a theatrical release altogether. The film’s removal also sparked political reactions in Punjab. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised the move, while the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) questioned the decision to take down a film based on Khalra’s life. The issue has since snowballed into a wider political debate, with leaders across parties weighing in on the controversy.
Reacting to the takedown, Diljit Dosanjh said the film had suffered the same fate as Jaswant Singh Khalra, alleging that the activist’s voice was silenced then just as the film had now been removed. Director Honey Trehan also expressed disappointment over the decision, saying the film had finally reached audiences after years of delays only to be taken down shortly after its release. Satluj may have paused. But the conversation it started hasn’t.Thank you for the incredible love.We hope to bring it back soon.#Satluj pic.twitter.com/Ox3MZIBvlT — ZEE5Official (@ZEE5India) July 5, 2026 Under the existing regulatory framework, content released directly on OTT platforms does not require pre-certification. However, streaming platforms operate under a self-regulatory mechanism and remain subject to government oversight in matters involving sensitive or potentially harmful content. ZEE5 has confirmed that Satluj is currently unavailable in India until further notice, while maintaining that it stands by the film and its makers and is pursuing due process in the hope of restoring the title for Indian audiences.
The BriefWire