Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has voiced his strong disapproval over the recent removal of the Diljit Dosanjh-led film Satluj from the streaming platform ZEE5. Kashyap, known for his outspoken stance on artistic freedom, took to social media to encourage audiences to watch the film by any means necessary, including piracy.
Government Directs ZEE5 to Remove Film
ZEE5 pulled Satluj within 48 hours of its India premiere on July 3, 2026, following a directive from the Central government. The order cited security concerns under the information technology rules, igniting a widespread debate about censorship, creative expression, and public safety.
Kashyap reposted an Instagram story, stating, "The thing about banning something is that the more people want to watch it." He added, "I was not even planning to watch this film, but now I will have to watch it to understand why it got banned." He then directly appealed to his followers, "Plz sab log dekho, pirate karo par dekho," urging them to view the film, even through pirated copies.
The Story Behind Satluj
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj is a biographical drama centered on the life and work of Sikh activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film sheds light on the alleged disappearances and illegal cremations of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab during the tumultuous militancy era of the 1980s and 1990s. The cast features Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
A History of Censorship Challenges
The film's journey to release has been fraught with regulatory hurdles. Problems with Indian regulators began in late 2022 when producer RSVP submitted the film to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The board reportedly initially cleared the film with 21 cuts and advised a title change from Ghallughara to Punjab ’95.
RSVP challenged this decision in the Bombay High Court. During subsequent proceedings, the CBFC revising committee allegedly increased the suggested cuts to 127 and reportedly requested changes to the protagonist's name, which the producers declined. The film's scheduled gala premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival was also canceled amidst the ongoing controversy, leaving Satluj unreleased in India for several years until its uncut premiere on ZEE5.
Industry Reactions and Future Uncertainty
In a statement, ZEE5 confirmed the film's unavailability in India "until further notice," attributing the removal to the Centre’s direction under the IT Rules. The platform stated its commitment to "exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity."
Following the takedown order, several Punjab-based political parties and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) raised objections. Diljit Dosanjh, the film's lead, commented on social media that the removal was "bound to happen" but did not elaborate further. As ZEE5 pursues legal and administrative avenues, the immediate future of Satluj in India remains uncertain, with no new litigation or appeals announced by the producers at the time of reporting.