Diljit Dosanjh reacts to ban of ‘Satluj’, says ‘I already knew this would happen…’

NEW DELHI: A day after the film ‘Satluj’ was effectively banned from being available in India, lead actor Diljit Dosanjh addressed the issue in a live Instagram video on Monday.

Speaking to his viewers, the actor reflected on the sudden restriction of the film and the long journey behind its release, while expressing both disappointment and acceptance over the latest development.

The film, which was taken down from ZEE5 India until further notice as of July 5, had already been at the centre of sustained controversy since its release.

In his live interaction, Diljit Dosanjh spoke candidly about the sequence of events leading up to the ban. He said, “My love and respect to all of you. What I had already expected is exactly what happened. I thought the film might get banned when offices will open on Monday, but I didn’t know it would happen as early as Sunday evening.”

He further explained why the team had not promoted the film on a larger scale, suggesting that the uncertainty around the film’s release shaped their strategy from the beginning. “That’s why we couldn’t promote the movie. If we had promoted it, the film would definitely not have been released at all,” he said.

Despite the restriction, the actor expressed relief that the film had still managed to reach audiences through OTT. “But now I have the satisfaction that at least our work has reached people the way we wanted it to. People have already downloaded it. One thing that made me especially happy was seeing that they’re even screening the movie with a projector at Gurudwara Sahib. It brought me immense joy to see that,” the ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ actor said.

“Once something is on the internet, I don’t think it can ever truly be deleted,” he added posing a broader reflection on digital permanence and audience access.

Diljit also opened up about the long and difficult production journey of ‘Satluj’, describing it as a project shaped by sustained delays, challenges, and emotional investment. He said the team had been working on the film for nearly six to seven years.

“We’ve been fighting for four years. Who knows, maybe it’ll come back again if we get another chance to continue the fight. But I’m content that the movie is finally out,” he said.

He also spoke about the disruption faced during production and post-production, including halted shoots. “We faced many difficulties while making this film too. Even people close to us caused a lot of problems. Our shoot was stopped for 15 days at a time,” Diljit said.

Highlighting the dedication of producer Honey Trehan, Diljit added, “I salute Honey Bhai. He dedicated his life to this project. Honey Ji has a very personal connection to this film.”

Director Honey Trehan reportedly spent years researching the subject before production began, while Diljit said he personally took a year to prepare for his role.

Reflecting on the story at the heart of the film, Diljit spoke emotionally about the final cut and its impact on him when he first viewed it. “When I watched the final edited version in 2023, I got goosebumps. I couldn’t hold back my emotions, and I cried a lot after seeing it,” Diljit shared.

The film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who disappeared in 1995. Diljit emphasized the continuing relevance of the story. “From 1995 to 2026, it feels like we’re still standing in the same place. Humanity has died, that’s why I’m saddened,” he said.

Concluding his live video, Diljit expressed his deep faith in God and quoted the Gurbani shabad, “Karan Kaaran sab ek hai,” which translates to “God alone is the doer of all deeds.”

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In an official statement following the film’s removal on Sunday, ZEE5 acknowledged the audience response and confirmed its temporary unavailability in India.

“The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life,” the platform said.

It added, “At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives.”

Announcing the removal, the platform stated, “In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.”

The film’s journey to release has been marked by multiple changes in title and clearance hurdles. It was originally titled ‘Ghallughara’, referencing historical Sikh massacres, before being renamed ‘Punjab 95’ during its certification process with the Central Board of Film Certification.

According to reports, the film was eventually cleared with 21 cuts and a mandated title change before being released as ‘Satluj.’ The project, directed by Honey Trehan and produced by RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures, also features Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in key roles.

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The project has carried three names on its way to release. It was originally titled “Ghallughara,” a historic term for the massacres of Sikhs in 1746, 1762 and 1984. When RSVP applied for certification from India’s Central Board of Film Certification in late 2022, the six-month process ended with the film cleared for 21 cuts and a mandated title change to ‘Punjab ’95,’ as per Variety.

RSVP appealed that ruling in the Bombay High Court. Around the same time, the film was withdrawn from its planned gala premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival; a source told Variety at the time that political factors were involved in that decision. “We could not get the previous title of the film. The title is now ‘Satluj,'” Trehan said in a statement to Variety. (ANI)