On July 6,2026,Sukhbir Singh Badal,leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD),voiced outrage over pulling the film Satluj from ZEE5. The movie,featuring Diljit Dosanjh, was yanked just two days after debut,sparking a heated debate over censorship and confronting historical truths in Punjab.
Satluj,directed by Honey Trehan,previously known as Punjab 95, faced many hurdles before release, including a long fight with Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Badal called the film's removal more than censorship, branding it an "assault on our collective memory,truth,and freedom of expression." He insisted Punjab must face its past openly, not hide it.“A powerful film that courageously unveils Punjab's painful history and honours the supreme sacrifice of S . Jaswant Singh Ji Khalra cannot be silenced this way,”Badal posted on social media platform X . His words echo wider concerns about how Punjab's tumultuous history is portrayed, especially 1990s events when state-backed violence was rampant.
In response to backlash,ZEE5 issued a statement acknowledging the overwhelming viewer reaction to Satluj. The platform thanked its audience, stressing commitment to storytelling that inspires and leaves a mark. They noted,“We firmly stand by Satluj and the vision behind it,” adding that while the film may be paused,the conversation it started would go on.
Satluj tells the true story of Jaswant Singh Khalra,played by Dosanjh,who boldly exposed extrajudicial cremations during a dark chapter in Punjab's history. The film aims to illuminate sacrifices made by those fighting for justice and truth amidst fear .
Badal’s condemnation of film's removal underscores a cultural clash in India,where narratives around historical events still spark tension . As censorship and freedom of expression debates heat up,what happens with Satluj might signal what’s to come for similar artistic efforts…
