Satluj removed from OTT in India: Diljit Dosanjh says he was 'absolutely certain' the film would be banned. Harbhajan Singh calls it a must-watch amid controversy

Two days after its OTT release, Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj, earlier titled Punjab 95, has been removed from streaming in India. The film, based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, had already spent years caught in a censorship battle before finally reaching audiences. Hours after it disappeared from the platform, Diljit addressed fans in an emotional Instagram Live, while former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh praised the film and urged people to watch it.

Satluj removed just two days after release

Satluj premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 without any promotional campaign. However, just two days later, the film was taken down from the platform in India.

The movie had earlier faced a prolonged battle over certification and was originally titled Punjab 95. It is inspired by the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, the human rights activist who investigated the alleged disappearances and secret cremations of civilians in Punjab during the 1990s.


After the film was removed, ZEE5 issued a brief statement saying it continues to stand by Satluj. However, the platform said the film had been made unavailable "in light of current developments" without revealing the exact reason behind the decision.

Diljit Dosanjh reacts after the takedown

Late Sunday night, Diljit Dosanjh shared his first reaction after the film's removal. The following morning, he hosted an Instagram Live to thank viewers who had watched the film and supported it.

The actor said he had anticipated the development and was "absolutely certain" that the film would eventually be taken down. He admitted he had expected it to happen by Monday, but the removal came even earlier.

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Diljit explained that this was one of the reasons the team decided not to promote the film before its digital release. According to him, they wanted the movie to quietly reach audiences before anything happened to it.

He also urged viewers who had already watched or downloaded Satluj to share it with others. Diljit said, "You can trouble me as much as you want. I am with Punjab till the day I die. But I'm happy and relieved that the film finally reached the audience. Many people have already downloaded it. Once anything lands online, it never gets deleted. I saw a video from Rajasthan where people are watching the film; I felt very happy. Please show it to your friends and everyone around you."

The actor added that the greatest satisfaction for him was that people were now talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra and discussing his life and work in their homes.

Speaking about the subject of the film, Diljit said the events shown took place in 1995, but he felt that conversations around the issue continue to face challenges even today.

A project delayed for years

Diljit also opened up about the long journey of bringing Satluj to audiences.

He revealed that the project faced multiple delays over the years. According to him, filming itself took a long time to begin, while the completed film remained stuck for several years after editing. Diljit said he had been associated with the project for around two years, while director Honey Trehan had dedicated nearly six years to making the film.

The controversy surrounding Satluj began long before its release. The film was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 but did not receive a censor certificate. The filmmakers had previously claimed they were asked to make 127 cuts. The movie was also scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023, but the screening was later cancelled following reported objections from Indian authorities.

Harbhajan Singh praises Satluj

Amid the controversy, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh watched the film before it was taken down and shared a heartfelt message on X.

Calling Satluj a must-watch, Harbhajan said the film raises important questions about justice, accountability and the responsibility of those entrusted to protect citizens. Harbhajan also wrote that many families in Punjab are still waiting for answers and justice, adding that "truth cannot remain buried forever."

He concluded by congratulating Honey Trehan and Diljit Dosanjh for bringing Khalra's story to the screen and ensuring that it reaches a wider audience despite the hurdles faced by the film.