The Indian government has referred the film 'Satluj', starring Diljit Dosanjh, to an Inter-Departmental Committee for review following its sudden removal from the streaming platform ZEE5. The film, which explores the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and the militancy era in Punjab, was released on July 3 but taken down by the platform just two days later. ZEE5 cited 'current developments' for the withdrawal, leaving the content unavailable to Indian audiences while it remains accessible internationally.
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting initiated the review process amid rising political tensions in Punjab. While the government has not officially confirmed the specific reasons for the takedown, the move has sparked a debate over censorship, historical narratives, and the regulation of digital content. The film had previously faced significant hurdles, including over 120 requested cuts by the Central Board of Film Certification and multiple title changes before its eventual release.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has publicly denied that the central government played a role in the film's removal. He argued that the government lacks direct control over OTT platforms and suggested that the filmmakers might have withdrawn the content themselves after achieving their initial commercial targets. Bittu also criticized the film's narrative, describing it as a one-sided portrayal of the 1990s militancy period that fails to account for the full complexity of the era.
Conversely, various political parties and Sikh organizations have condemned the removal, viewing it as an act of censorship. They argue that the film provides a necessary platform to discuss historical events and that the public should be allowed to engage with the content without state interference. As the Inter-Departmental Committee begins its examination, the film's future availability in India remains uncertain, with the committee expected to determine whether the content complies with existing digital media regulations.