Indian thriller 'Satluj' removed from OTT after 48 hours

The Indian biographical thriller 'Satluj,' a human-rights drama inspired by activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, has vanished from Indian screens just two days after its release on ZEE5. The film, which exposed alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Sikhs in the 1980s-90s, had a tumultuous journey to viewers, previously being locked in a tug-of-war with India's censor board for four years.

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unavailable until further notice

Initially titled 'Ghallughara' and later 'Punjab '95,' the film faced demands for title changes and extensive edits targeting its depiction of state violence. Makers challenged these requirements in court, and the film skipped a theatrical release, instead appearing at international festivals. It finally surfaced on ZEE5 in India under the new name 'Satluj,' with the online version seemingly closer to the director's original vision.

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stands by

However, the film's presence was short-lived. ZEE5 removed it from its Indian catalogue, citing "current developments" without further explanation. The platform claims it "stands by" the film and will pursue "due process" to restore it, but the opaque takedown has caused unease in the industry. Notably, 'Satluj' reportedly remains available on ZEE5's global service, indicating a geo-specific blackout.

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due process

Lead actor Diljit Dosanjh observed that the film's fate mirrors that of Khalra himself, a man whose story faced resistance and attempts at erasure. He also pointed out that once a story is released, it becomes nearly impossible to contain, with viewers already having downloaded the film.

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once a story is out, it is nearly impossible to contain