Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Announces Public Screenings of Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj Following OTT Removal

Yugcharan News / 08-07-2026

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has announced that it will organise public screenings of actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh's film Satluj after the movie was removed from the OTT platform Zee5 in India. The committee has strongly criticised the film's removal, describing it as an attempt to prevent the story of late human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra from reaching the public.

The decision has added a new dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding the film, which has remained at the centre of discussions ever since its prolonged battle with certification authorities and its brief digital release. While the film was finally released on Zee5 after years of delays, it was subsequently taken down from the platform within days, leading to widespread reactions from members of the Sikh community, civil society groups and supporters of the project.

Speaking on behalf of the DSGMC, committee president Harmeet Singh Kalka said the organisation believes the life and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra deserve to be seen and understood by future generations. According to him, the committee will ensure that the film reaches audiences through community screenings and educational initiatives.

Kalka stated that Satluj is not merely a commercial film but a biographical portrayal of a social activist who dedicated his life to exposing alleged human rights violations during one of Punjab's most turbulent periods. He said that attempts to prevent people from viewing the film have generated widespread concern among members of the Sikh community.

The DSGMC also announced that it plans to organise seminars in schools, colleges and educational institutions managed by the committee. These events will focus on Khalra's life, his contribution to society and the importance of safeguarding human rights. Committee officials said they intend to encourage discussions among students so that younger generations become familiar with the historical events depicted in the film.

According to the committee, all local gurdwara management bodies have been asked to make arrangements for public screenings wherever possible. The initiative aims to ensure that people who were unable to watch the film after its removal from the streaming platform still have an opportunity to view it.

Satluj, directed by Honey Trehan, stars Diljit Dosanjh in the role of Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film is inspired by the life of the activist, who gained national and international attention for documenting alleged illegal cremations and disappearances during the insurgency period in Punjab in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Khalra, who initially worked as a bank employee, later devoted himself to investigating reports concerning unidentified bodies that had allegedly been cremated without proper identification. His findings attracted significant attention from human rights organisations in India and abroad.

In 1995, Khalra disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Years later, several Punjab Police personnel were convicted in connection with his abduction and alleged murder. Despite extensive investigations and legal proceedings, his body has never been recovered, making his case one of the most widely discussed human rights issues in modern Indian history.

The film seeks to recreate this chapter of Punjab's history through a cinematic narrative. Apart from Diljit Dosanjh, the cast includes Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, among others.

Before reaching audiences, the project faced several hurdles. Originally titled Panjab 95, the film reportedly remained under review for several years after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) recommended numerous modifications before granting certification. The prolonged certification process delayed the film's release and attracted considerable public attention.

Eventually, the makers released the film on Zee5 under the new title Satluj. Unlike earlier reports suggesting extensive modifications, the version made available on the streaming platform was released without the previously proposed cuts. However, only a short time after its release, the film became unavailable to viewers in India.

Zee5 later confirmed that the title had been removed following certain developments but did not provide detailed public explanations regarding the decision. Reports circulating in the media suggested that the removal may have been linked to compliance issues under the Information Technology Rules, although no official authority has publicly confirmed the exact reason.

The removal of the film sparked strong reactions across social media, with several users questioning why a film based on historical events and the life of a human rights activist was no longer accessible to Indian audiences. Supporters of the film argued that stories dealing with difficult periods of history should remain available for public discussion and understanding.

The DSGMC's announcement has now shifted the focus from the digital platform to community-based screenings. Committee members believe that if the film cannot currently be accessed through conventional streaming services, alternative lawful methods should be explored to ensure that its subject matter remains available for public viewing.

Legal experts note that while OTT platforms have the authority to manage their own content libraries in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, public reactions often emerge when films dealing with historical or politically sensitive subjects are withdrawn after release. Such incidents frequently raise broader discussions concerning artistic expression, public interest and historical representation.

Film analysts also point out that biographical films based on controversial events often generate debate because they revisit unresolved or emotionally significant chapters of history. In many cases, the discussions surrounding such films become almost as prominent as the films themselves.

For Diljit Dosanjh, Satluj represents one of the most serious and challenging performances of his acting career. Known for balancing commercial cinema with meaningful storytelling, the actor has earned praise from audiences and critics for portraying real-life personalities in emotionally demanding roles.

Meanwhile, members of the Sikh community have welcomed the DSGMC's decision to organise screenings, describing it as an effort to preserve awareness about Jaswant Singh Khalra's contribution to human rights advocacy. Community leaders believe that public dialogue surrounding historical events remains essential in a democratic society.

As discussions continue over the film's availability, neither the producers nor the streaming platform have announced whether Satluj will return to Zee5 or become available through any other official distribution channel in the near future.

For now, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has made it clear that it intends to proceed with public screenings and educational programmes, maintaining that the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra should continue to reach audiences despite the film's removal from digital streaming. The development has ensured that Satluj remains at the centre of national discussion, highlighting the continuing intersection of cinema, history, public memory and freedom of expression.