Actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh has reacted for the primary time after his latest film Satluj, originally titled Punjab 95, was faraway from ZEE5 in India just two days after its release. While the actor did in a roundabout way address the controversy, he shared a strong social media post to comment on the film’s sudden disappearance from the streaming platform.
Diljit Dosanjh BREAKS SILENCE after Satluj is faraway from ZEE5: “I assumed it could be banned on Monday”
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj premiered on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, in its original and unaltered form, bypassing a theatrical release. Nevertheless, on the evening of July 5, the platform announced that the film would not be available for streaming in India, citing “current developments.”
Diljit Dosanjh shares first response
Taking to Instagram, Diljit first shared a still from Satluj together with a cryptic yet powerful caption. “I challenge the darkness,” he wrote. He also added a message in Punjabi that drew a direct comparison between the film’s fate and the lifetime of the person whose story inspired it. “The identical thing that happened to Satluj also happened to Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra.”
Soon after, during a live interaction with fans, Diljit spoke candidly concerning the events surrounding the film’s removal from ZEE5. Based on the actor, he had anticipated such a development even before it happened. “My love and respect to all of you. What I had already expected is strictly what happened. I assumed the film might get banned when offices will open on Monday, but I didn’t realize it would occur as early as Sunday evening,” he said.
Diljit also revealed that the uncertainty surrounding the film’s future influenced the team’s promotional strategy. He explained that they consciously selected to not mount an in depth marketing campaign because they feared it could have jeopardised the film’s release altogether. Despite the film being faraway from streaming in India, the actor expressed satisfaction that audiences had not less than managed to observe it in the course of the short window it was available.
“But now I actually have the satisfaction that not less than our work has reached people the way in which we wanted it to. People have already downloaded it. One thing that made me especially completely happy was seeing that they are even screening the movie with a projector at Gurudwara Sahib. It brought me immense joy to see that,” the Amar Singh Chamkila actor shared.
Reflecting on the digital age, Diljit added, “Once something is on the web, I do not think it might ever truly be deleted.”
The actor also spoke concerning the years of effort that went into bringing Satluj to audiences. Calling it an extended and emotionally demanding journey, he revealed that the team had spent nearly six to seven years working on the project and had faced several obstacles along the way in which.
“We have been fighting for 4 years. Who knows, possibly it’ll come back again if we get one other probability to proceed the fight. But I’m content that the movie is finally out,” he said.
ZEE5 explains why Satluj was removed
Announcing the choice, ZEE5 released an announcement confirming that Satluj had been withdrawn from its Indian library until further notice.
“In light of the present developments, Satluj will probably 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 on the earliest opportunity,” the streaming platform said.
The platform also thanked audiences for his or her overwhelming response to the film in the course of the temporary period it was available.
“We’re deeply grateful to each viewer who selected to subscribe, watch, and champion the film. Your love and support have meant an excellent deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life. At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We consider powerful storytelling has the power to encourage, endure, and leave a long-lasting impact,” the statement added.
The controversy surrounding Satluj
Satluj relies on the lifetime of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged extrajudicial killings and illegal mass cremations of 1000’s of unidentified Sikh youths during Punjab’s militancy era within the Nineties. Khalra later disappeared in 1995 under mysterious circumstances.
Before its release, the film had remained embroiled in controversy for years. Reports suggested that the Central Board of Film Certification had sought greater than 120 cuts, including the removal of references to Punjab and the Punjab Police, in addition to changes to the identity of the real-life protagonist.
Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal starrer Satluj begins streaming on ZEE5; Honey Trehan directorial inspired by the lifetime of Jaswant Singh
More Pages: Satluj Box Office Collection , Satluj Movie Review
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