Ghallughara to Satluj: A withdrawn plea, an uncut film & a takedown

New Delhi: The political row surrounding the movie 'Satluj' has once again brought the film's turbulent certification history into focus. Among the lesser-discussed chapters is the filmmakers' 2023 petition before the Bombay High Court challenging the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) decision imposing 21 modifications on the film when it was titled Punjab '95 - a petition that the filmmakers eventually withdrew in January 2025. The political controversy surrounding the film has intensified, particularly as its release came just months ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.

As a direct fallout of the release of 'Satluj' and its subsequent takedown from the streaming platform on the directions of the Indian government, early discussions are underway within the Centre to explore an amendment to the Information Technology Act to ensure that any film/documentary shown in India across platforms receives prior CBFC certification, people in the know told ET.

"Not on board. Mentioned by way of praecipe (a formal written request or legal writ submitted to a court clerk or judge). The learned counsel for the petitioners, on instructions, seeks permission to withdraw the petition. Hence, the petition is disposed of as withdrawn. Praecipe stands disposed of," reads the order passed by the Bombay High Court on January 7, 2025, while disposing of the petition filed by the filmmakers of 'Satluj'.


Justifying its decision to direct the takedown of 'Satluj' from the streaming platform, government sources claimed that the filmmakers deliberately did not comply with CBFC's May 2023 order imposing 21 modifications on the film.

People in the know said that after two years of litigation initiated by the filmmakers, they chose to withdraw their petition. It might be mentioned here that since the Bombay High Court simply disposed of the petition (as evident in the court order), the court did not record any adverse findings against the 21 modifications imposed by the CBFC.

Since the petition had been withdrawn by the moviemakers, it was incumbent upon them to implement the changes. Instead, they released the uncut version, to which the CBFC strongly objected, the people quoted above added.

Some of the 21 modifications imposed by the CBFC in 2023 on the film, which was later rechristened "Punjab '95" from its original title 'Ghallughara', included: Unsubstantiated allegations against Punjab Police; promoting a Pro-Khalistan agenda; an attempt to alienate the Sikh youth; and a misleading portrayal of Sikh identity and diaspora mobilisation. People in the know said that although the filmmakers changed the title but the underlying narrative and public perception remained. Sources quoted above further said that CBFC repeatedly sought deletion/modification of unverified 25,000 dead-body references, and the genocide-type narrative.

The movie's overriding narrative is that the state was responsible for mass killings, disappearances and illegal cremations. This goes beyond criticism of specific excesses and portrays the counter-insurgency as an alleged machinery of state oppression targeting a specific Indian community, they added.

Regarding the depiction of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh's assassination in the film, the people cited above said it appeared to be an attempt to provide a moral justification for the political assassination.

They added that the assassination of the former Punjab chief minister is portrayed as an extrajudicial killing rather than a terrorist act. The board had further opined that the filmmakers made no attempt to depict terrorist violence, attacks and the killing of innocent civilians. The CBFC had termed the film's portrayal a corrupt, vicious and self-serving one-sided narrative. Among the 21 modifications sought by the board from the filmmakers was the removal or modification of scenes portraying the Punjab Police as indulging in extrajudicial killings to claim promotions and rewards.

The biographical film on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra was never released in theatres due to a prolonged censorship dispute with the CBFC. The filmmakers eventually released the uncut version on the streaming platform under the new title 'Satluj' on July 3. Two days later, the central government directed the streaming platform to take down the film. The government ordered the removal under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, citing national security concerns and the obligations of streaming intermediaries.

On July 5, the OTT platform issued a statement announcing that 'Satluj' would no longer be available for streaming in India, citing "current developments."