Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj to be screened at gurdwaras across five states after OTT takedown
Reports said the government feared the film could lead to pro-Khalistan mobilisation or disturb public order, prompting its removal from the streaming platform.
PTC News Desk: As Satluj remains unavailable for streaming in India, Sikh religious organisations across several states have started community screenings to ensure the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra reaches people. Gurudwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Jammu are organising screenings of the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer after it was removed from ZEE5 just 48 hours after its release.
According to a report, members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said gurudwara committees from different parts of the country have joined hands to screen director Honey Trehan's film.
In Jammu, Satluj, earlier titled Punjab '95, will be screened at four gurudwaras from July 10 to July 13. In Jaipur, a poster shared on social media announced a public screening on July 11 at the Baba Fateh Singh Auditorium in Chandi Ki Taksal Gurudwara.
In Delhi, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harmeet Singh Kalka renewed his demand for the film's return to ZEE5 and backed the community screening initiative. The biopic, based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 but was removed two days later after the Centre reportedly asked the platform to take it down under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, citing security concerns.
Reports said the government feared the film could lead to pro-Khalistan mobilisation or disturb public order, prompting its removal from the streaming platform.
The film was completed nearly four years ago but faced a long certification process. It was first submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) under the title Ghallughara and was reportedly cleared with 21 cuts, along with a direction to rename it Punjab '95.
Unhappy with the suggested cuts, the filmmakers challenged the decision in court. The case was later referred to the CBFC's revising committee, which reportedly recommended 127 cuts and proposed changes, including renaming the character based on Jaswant Singh Khalra. The makers refused to accept those changes, resulting in the film's release in India being delayed for several years.