Days after being taken down from Zee in India, the period drama is now lifted off from Zee5 International library. The Diljit Dosanjh starrer which was premiered for the last time on Friday was removed in India less than 48 hours later on government directions. It had remained available overseas until now.
Director Honey Trehan confirmed the removal and simply said, “Yes.” The film’s removal from ZEE5 internationally has sparked fresh discussion across social media. On X, one user flagged the development, writing, “So it’s been removed internationally as well.”
The development also prompted discussion among users in the comments section. One user wrote, “They’re making it more popular by banning it everywhere. I have non-Punjabi friends who only heard about it after the ban and are watching it as a result.”
On last Sunday evening, less than 48 hours after the film’s release, ZEE5 removed Satluj from its platform and issued a brief statement. “In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.” Following the takedown, pirated versions of the film quickly surfaced online.
Back in India, the movie got a new screen. In an era dominated by OTT platforms and personalized views, Punjab’s open fields became the biggest screen. Across the state, large LED screens and projectors began appearing in village squares, gurdwara complexes, schools and community spaces. Instead of being watched individually inside homes, Satluj brought entire villages together, watching the film as a shared community experience.
Based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra and the judicial proceedings that followed his abduction and murder, the film chronicles the work of the human rights activist who documented allegations of illegal cremations and enforced disappearances during Punjab’s years of militancy.