Diljit Dosanjh-starrer film Satluj made headlines on Sunday after it was removed from ZEE5 in India.Amid discussions surrounding the film’s removal from the platform, footage of Diljit having a candid chat with fans is now going viral on social media. In the video, a fan reportedly asked the actor for his reaction to the film possibly being removed from the streaming platform.During Dosanjh’s online live broadcast, the actor said in Punjabi: “Huntension nai, sab ne karlayi download” and then added “Maintension free baitha”.During the chat, he predicted: “Today is Saturday, I think it will be taken off the shelves on Monday. But don’t worry, you can download it.”Directed by Honey Trehan, the social drama is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who before his disappearance in 1995 investigated the alleged illegal cremations of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab.Announcing the decision to remove the film, ZEE5 issued a statement saying, “In view of the current developments, ‘Satluj’ will not be available for release in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring all appropriate avenues through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest.”The platform thanked viewers for the response to the film’s release and thanked viewers for their support, saying: “We are so grateful to everyone who chose to subscribe, watch, and support this film. Your love and support means so much to us and everyone who brought this story to life.” At ZEE5, we firmly support Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe that powerful storytelling inspires, lasts and leaves a lasting impact.“Dosanjh had also previously spoken about the importance of playing Jaswant Singh Kalra. “Our film Satluj is a story about faith, courage and humanity, and creating this character has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I am grateful that audiences around the world can finally watch the film on Zee5 and connect with a story that is deeply personal and truly deserves to be seen by everyone,” he said.The actor further explained why he chose to be a part of the project.“The martyrdom of Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra ji and his contribution to humanity was the main reason why I chose to be a part of this film. When I first heard the script, it deeply moved me as it is rooted in the life experiences, struggles and sacrifices of real people. As an artist, the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful story is rare,” Dosanjh added.The cast of Satluj includes Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan and Dosanjh.The film has been a long and challenging journey for viewers. The film was originally scheduled to have its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), but was later removed from the festival lineup without an official explanation from the organizers.The project is also reportedly facing hurdles from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which is said to have recommended 127 cuts before certification. Delays in obtaining permission reportedly led to multiple delays in the film’s release plans.
