Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' removed from Indian OTT after 48 hours

The Indian biographical thriller 'Satluj,' starring Diljit Dosanjh, has been abruptly removed from the ZEE5 streaming platform in India, just 48 hours after its release. The film, which chronicles the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, has had a tumultuous journey to viewers, having been in development for years under various titles, including 'Ghallughara' and 'Punjab '95.'

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unavailable until further notice

Inspired by Khalra's work exposing thousands of "unclaimed" bodies and alleged extrajudicial killings of Sikhs in the 1980s and 90s, the film's subject matter placed it under intense scrutiny from India's censorship regime. Over the past four years, the filmmakers engaged in a protracted dispute with the censor board, facing demands for title changes and significant edits to its portrayal of state violence. The makers challenged these requirements in court, ultimately opting to bypass a traditional theatrical release and instead screen the film at international festivals.

Last week, the film finally premiered on ZEE5 in India under the new title 'Satluj.' Reports indicated that the version available online was closer to the director's original vision than the heavily redacted version previously demanded by censors. However, its availability was short-lived. ZEE5 removed the film from its Indian catalogue, informing users it was "unavailable until further notice" due to "current developments."

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stands by

Adding to the intrigue, 'Satluj' reportedly remains accessible on ZEE5's global platform outside India, suggesting the blackout is geo-specific. ZEE5 has publicly stated it "stands by" the film and will pursue "due process" to restore it in India. However, the lack of clarity surrounding the takedown has fueled unease within the industry. Diljit Dosanjh commented that the film's story, like Khalra's own struggle against erasure, is difficult to contain once it has been released.

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due process