Diljit Dosanjh Film 'Satluj' Pulled From Streaming After Two Days Amid Controversy

The abrupt removal of the film 'Satluj', starring popular Indian singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, from the streaming platform ZEE5 has sparked debate. The film, released on Friday, was taken down just two days later, with the platform citing 'current developments' without further explanation.

'Satluj' is inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during Punjab's separatist insurgency in the 1990s. Khalra himself was abducted and murdered. Several Punjab police officers were later convicted for their role in his killing.

Completed in 2022, the film never had a theatrical release due to a prolonged dispute with India's Central Board of Film Certification. When it finally debuted on ZEE5, it received strong reviews, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it 'one of the finest Indian films of the year'.

A spokesperson for RSVP Movies, the film's producer, told The Indian Express that the removal was on government orders. However, the government has not publicly commented. The BBC has contacted the federal information and broadcasting ministry for a response.

Dosanjh addressed the situation in a live social media video, saying he had expected the film to be taken down but not so quickly. 'My love and respect to all of you. What I had already expected is exactly what happened. I thought the film might get banned when [government] offices opened on Monday, but I didn't know it would happen as early as Sunday evening.'

The singer-actor also explained why the film's promotions were minimal: 'If we had promoted it, the film would definitely not have been released at all.' Despite its removal, Dosanjh expressed gratitude that audiences had finally been able to watch the film after years of delays.

As of now, 'Satluj' is officially unavailable on streaming platforms in India. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around artistic expression and historical narratives in the country.