Diljit Dosanjhs Satluj taken down from ZEE5 in India, ban triggers political showdown
ZEE5 confirmed the decision through an Instagram statement and thanked viewers for the strong support the film received after its release.
PTC News Desk: After facing years of delays and controversy, Diljit Dosanjh’s much-awaited film Punjab 95 was finally released on ZEE5 on July 3 under the new title Satluj. However, the film has now been removed from the streaming platform in India.
ZEE5 confirmed the decision through an Instagram statement and thanked viewers for the strong support the film received after its release.
The platform said it was grateful to everyone who subscribed to watch and support Satluj. It also said it continues to stand behind the film and its creators, believing that meaningful stories can leave a lasting impact.
ZEE5 further announced that Satluj will not be available for streaming in India until further notice. The company said it is exploring all possible legal and official options to bring the film back to audiences as soon as possible.
The film has had a difficult journey to release. Originally titled Punjab 95, it was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 but remained stuck in the certification process for almost three years.
Director Honey Trehan had earlier claimed that the CBFC asked for 127 cuts in the film. It was also set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, but the screening was later cancelled after reported objections from Indian authorities.
The film was eventually released on ZEE5 under the title Satluj. It features Diljit Dosanjh, Kanwaljeet Singh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in key roles.