The controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj has now crossed boundaries. It seems like the ban on the film is no longer limited to India. Days after the film was removed from ZEE5 India, it has now also disappeared from the platform’s international library. This has now triggered a fresh wave of discussion among viewers overseas.
Satluj removed from Zee5 globally
Satluj, which was earlier titled Punjab 95, had premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 following nearly four years of delays related to censorship and certification issues. However, it was pulled down in India within 48 hours but continued to remain available for international audiences. A week after the incident that window, too, appears to have now closed.
According to Screen, when they reached out to director Honey Trehan to know about the film’s disappearance from ZEE5’s international catalogue, the filmmaker confirmed the development with a brief “Yes.”
The removal of Satluj from the international library was first flagged by users on social media. A X user wrote, “So it’s been removed internationally as well.” Similarly, Reddit users also flooded the platform noting that Satluj was no longer visible outside India too. One post claimed that the move showed “efforts to censor and remove the film are still ongoing.”
One user commented, highlighting how the ban had made the film more popular, and that even non-Punjabi friends heard about it only after the controversy. Another user noted that pirated versions were already circulating.
Satluj removed from ZEE5 in India
Zee5 had earlier issued a statement after taking the film down in India. “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,” the statement read.
Following the removal, co-producer Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies also confirmed to SCREEN through a spokesperson, saying, “The government has pulled it down,” while expressing hope that the film would return soon.
According to PTI, a government official noted that the film was submitted to the CBFC back in 2022 as Punjab 95. However, the makers did not agree to the board’s proposed 127 cuts. The official further claimed the film was later released directly on OTT under a new title without CBFC certification, and thus ZEE5 was asked to remove it over security concerns.
