Punjab film 'Satluj' pulled from OTT after 48 hours; actor Suvinder Vicky speaks out
The Punjabi film Satluj, starring Diljit Dosanjh, was released on streaming platform ZEE5 on July 3 after a three-year delay. Within 48 hours, the film was removed from the platform. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had earlier withheld the film's release, leading to a prolonged censorship battle. Despite the controversy, the film has received widespread praise from audiences and critics.
In an interview, actor Suvinder Vicky, who plays the antagonist Sugga, discussed the film's reception, the censorship issues, and his experience working with Diljit Dosanjh. Vicky described Dosanjh as a dedicated artist who remained immersed in his character throughout the shoot. 'He is a very supportive guy. I must say, he is an artist, and when you are a true artist, success eventually follows,' Vicky said.
According to Vicky, the set was unusually quiet because both actors chose to stay in character between takes. 'We didn't indulge in small talk on set. He was very professional and didn't like unnecessary disturbance because he wanted to stay in character. Honestly, I didn't want any disturbance either because I also had to remain in my character. It was a very quiet set,' he recalled.
Most of Vicky's scenes with Dosanjh involved intense interrogation sequences. In one scene, Dosanjh's character Khalra is hung while Vicky throws pamphlets at him. Vicky admitted the scene was challenging. 'Diljit was literally hanging there throughout the shoot. I was under immense pressure. He never said anything, but I knew I was performing opposite Diljit Dosanjh, so I couldn't afford to make a mistake. My timing had to be absolutely perfect,' he said.
Vicky praised Dosanjh's patience during multiple retakes. 'I told him, 'I'm sorry.' But he just smiled and kept saying, 'Bhaji, koi gal ni.' It means, 'It's okay, don't worry.' He was incredibly patient and humble. I don't know how to explain it… I'm telling you, he is God's child,' Vicky added.
The film also features a widely discussed scene referred to as 'the saag scene.' Vicky said it was the most demanding scene for him because he had to convey menace without raising his voice or using physical aggression. 'Everyone on the unit kept referring to it as 'the saag scene.' I kept waiting for the day we would finally shoot it. I was nervous because everyone in that house is terrified, while my character is the only person who has authority,' he explained.
Vicky credited director Honey Trehan and the technical teams for their meticulous work in recreating the real-life officer's appearance. The film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who was tortured and killed during the militancy era in Punjab.
