In Spectrum: Satluj: The film India could not watch

The film 'Satluj,' a cinematic exploration of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra's life and work, has been removed from the Indian streaming platform ZEE5, just two days after its release on July 3, 2026. The film, originally produced as 'Punjab 95,' delves into Khalra's investigation into enforced disappearances and illegal cremations during Punjab's insurgency.

Directed by Honey Trehan, the film encountered significant hurdles even before its release. It faced a prolonged certification dispute, with reports indicating the Central Board of Film Certification demanded substantial changes to the title, references to Khalra, and depictions of the Punjab Police. Filmmakers argued these alterations would compromise the film's historical integrity.

After years of uncertainty, the producers opted for a direct-to-streaming release on ZEE5 under the new title 'Satluj.' However, this reprieve was short-lived. The film was subsequently withdrawn from ZEE5's Indian catalogue following government directives, reportedly issued under the Information Technology Rules, 2021. This decision effectively denied Indian audiences access to the film, while it remained available internationally.

The episode has reignited critical discussions surrounding censorship, freedom of expression, and the Indian state's historical reluctance to engage with narratives that scrutinize its past actions. The withdrawal underscores a persistent tension between official narratives and the societal need to confront difficult historical truths, suggesting that enforced forgetting can deepen rather than heal historical wounds.