India orders takedown of Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj’ from ZEE5

WEB DESK: The Indian government has directed streaming platform ZEE5 to remove the film Satluj from its catalogue in India less than 48 hours after its release.

The film, starring actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, portrays the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. It follows his efforts to document allegations of extrajudicial killings and mass cremations of Sikhs during counter-insurgency operations in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s.

Diljit responded on social media and during an Instagram Live session from the United States. He said the team expected the action and avoided promotion to allow the film to reach viewers. He noted that copies of the film had spread online. ZEE5 asked users not to support piracy as it explores options, while the film remains available outside India on ZEE5 Global.

The government issued the directive under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, citing security concerns and the potential for parts of the film to affect the state’s image.

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The film had faced a three-year process with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) under its earlier titles Ghallughara and Punjab ’95. The makers released it digitally without cuts after the CBFC sought 127 changes, including removal of Khalra’s name.

Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted and allegedly killed by Punjab Police in 1995 after documenting over 25,000 illegal cremations. Courts later sentenced police officials in connection with his murder. The case involving the film has renewed discussion on how cinema addresses events from that period.