ZEE5 removes "Satluj” Movie on Punjab from Indian territory

 Streaming platform ZEE5 has officially removed Diljit Dosanjh’s film “Satluj” from availability in India, citing undisclosed “current developments”.

In a statement released on social media, the platform acknowledged the “truly overwhelming” response the film has received from audiences but said the title would remain unavailable until further notice. Despite the removal, ZEE5 expressed support for the filmmakers and the project’s intent, stating, “We stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it,” and emphasised its commitment to promoting authentic and meaningful narratives.

The Diljit Dosanjh-starrer movie Satluj (originally titled Punjab 95) was abruptly removed from the streaming platform ZEE5 in India on July 5, 2026, just two days after its digital release. [1, 2]

While it has not been officially "banned" by a court of law, its sudden suspension has sparked massive public outrage and a major political row. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Background and Name Changes

The film is a biopic based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a prominent human rights activist who exposed the mass disappearances and extrajudicial killings of thousands of unidentified people by the police in Punjab during the militancy era of the late 1980s and 1990s. [1, 2, 3]

• Original Titles: The project was initially titled Ghallughara (referring to a historical Sikh massacre) and later renamed Punjab 95.
• The Censorship Battle: The movie spent nearly three years in a grueling standoff with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The censor board reportedly demanded an unprecedented 120 to 127 cuts—including deleting references to Punjab, removing names of specific places where bodies were discovered, and changing the title. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

The Direct-to-OTT Release

To bypass theatrical censorship and avoid compromising the narrative, director Honey Trehan and producer Ronnie Screwvala opted to skip theatres entirely. On July 3, 2026, they released the film directly on ZEE5 under the new title Satluj. Lead actor Diljit Dosanjh proudly announced to fans that this version was completely uncut and retained its original creative integrity. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

The Sudden Takedown

Following rave reviews from critics and high viewership, ZEE5 abruptly pulled the movie from its Indian catalogue on July 5, 2026. [1, 2]

• Current Availability: The movie remains strictly unavailable in India until further notice, but it continues to stream normally on ZEE5 Global for audiences living outside of India. [1, 2]
• Official Statement: In a public social media statement, ZEE5 cited unspecified "current developments" and mounting external pressures for the suspension. However, the platform emphasized that they stand firmly behind the filmmakers' creative vision and are "exploring every appropriate avenue through due process" to restore the film in India. [1, 2, 3]
• Reactions: Diljit Dosanjh responded to the removal with the message, "I challenge the darkness," while political groups in Punjab, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, have strongly condemned the move as an act of arbitrary censorship. [1, 2]