The Diljit Dosanjh-starrer ‘Satluj’ hit the headlines on Sunday, after it was removed from ZEE5 in India.Amid chatter around the film’s takedown from the platform, a video of Diljit’s candid chat with his fans is now going viral on social media. In the clip, the actor was reportedly asked by a fan on his reaction to the film possibly being taken down from the streaming platform.In Dosanjh’s livestream that is doing the rounds online, the actor says in Punjabi, “Hun tension nai, sab ne kar layi download,” before adding, “Main tension free baitha.”During the chat, he predicted, “Today is Saturday. I feel it could be taken down by Monday. But no worries, you download it.”The social drama, directed by Honey Trehan, is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab before his disappearance in 1995.Announcing the decision to take down the film, ZEE5 released a statement saying, “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.”Acknowledging the response the film had received following its release, the platform thanked viewers for their support, saying, “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. 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.“Dosanjh also previously spoke about the significance of portraying Jaswant Singh Khalra. “Our film, ‘Satluj’, is a story of conviction, courage, and humanity, and portraying this character has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. I’m grateful that audiences across the world can finally watch the film on Zee5 and connect with a story that is both deeply personal and truly a must-watch for all,” he had said.The actor further explained why he chose to be part of the project.“Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra ji’s martyrdom and his contribution to humanity were the primary reasons I chose to be a part of this film. When I first heard the script, it moved me deeply, as it is rooted in the lived experiences, struggles, and sacrifices of real people. As an artist, opportunities to be part of such meaningful stories are rare,” Dosanjh added.Satluj features an ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan alongside Dosanjh.The film has had a long and challenging journey to audiences. It was originally scheduled to have its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), but was later removed from the festival’s line-up without an official explanation from the organisers.The project also reportedly faced hurdles with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which is said to have recommended 127 cuts before certification. The reported delay in securing clearance resulted in multiple postponements to the film’s release plans.
