"There's a fear that the film could be removed"
Amid the controversy surrounding Satluj‘s removal from ZEE5 in India, a video of Diljit Dosanjh predicting the film’s fate has gone viral.
The film tells the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed alleged mass cremations and extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s.
Khalra was abducted, tortured and murdered by members of the Punjab Police in 1995 after reporting 25,000 alleged unlawful killings.
Originally titled Panjab 95, the project has faced years of censorship disputes with the Central Board of Film Certification, which reportedly demanded 120 cuts after the film was first submitted in 2022.
A planned world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival was also cancelled after the makers challenged the required edits.
It was eventually released on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026.
But on July 5, ZEE5 issued a statement, confirming the film had been removed from the platform in India.
The statement read: “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.
“We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film.
“Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life.
“At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact.”
In an Instagram Live session the day before, Diljit Dosanjh addressed concerns that Satluj could be banned in India.
He said in Punjabi: “There’s a fear that the film could be removed from ZEE5 on Monday.
“But by then, someone would have downloaded it. No problem. No tension.
“Those who want to stop this can try.”
Appearing unfazed by the possible removal, he added:
“There’s no tension now, everyone has downloaded it. I am sitting here without any tension.”
Darpoka ne Monday tak da wait v nahi kitta ? pic.twitter.com/CdYtzgA5tM
— Ravleen Kaur Gill (@_ArdabMutiyaar) July 5, 2026
Following the film’s removal from ZEE5, Diljit shared a cryptic post referencing Khalra’s resolve.
“I challenge the darkness,” he wrote, adding in Punjabi, “Panjab 95 aka Satluj is meeting the same fate as the late Khalra saab.”
Khalra’s work investigating unidentified bodies and alleged state abuses led to a landmark legal case.
In 2005, four Punjab Police personnel were convicted for his abduction and murder and sentenced to seven years in prison.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court later enhanced their sentence to life imprisonment in 2007.
Satluj is directed by Honey Trehan and produced under MacGuffin Pictures and RSVP Movies, alongside Abhishek Chaubey and Ronnie Screwvala.
