Why is Satluj unavailable in India? The true story behind the controversial film

Satluj, originally titled Punjab ’95, is inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film became controversial because it revisits allegations of enforced disappearances and illegal cremations in Punjab during the militancy era. After years of certification delays, it was released on OTT but is currently unavailable in India while legal issues are being examined.

Why is Satluj unavailable in India?

The question has gained attention after Diljit Dosanjh’s long-delayed film finally reached audiences following years of uncertainty. Originally announced as Punjab ’95, the film spent nearly three years caught in a dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which reportedly sought more than 100 changes before certification. The makers refused to release an altered version, leading to repeated delays before the film eventually appeared under the new title Satluj. Soon after its OTT debut on Zee5, however, the film became unavailable in India as the streaming platform said it was exploring legal options.

Directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh, Satluj is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a Punjab-based human rights activist. Khalra became internationally known in the 1990s after documenting allegations that thousands of unidentified bodies had been secretly cremated during anti-militancy operations in Punjab. His investigation drew global attention to claims of enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings.

In September 1995, Khalra disappeared outside his home in Amritsar. Witnesses alleged that he was abducted by police personnel. Years later, several police officers were convicted in connection with his abduction and murder, although his body was never recovered. His case remains one of the most significant human rights cases linked to Punjab’s insurgency period.

The sensitive historical backdrop is widely seen as the reason the film encountered certification challenges. Reports said the CBFC objected to references involving real people, locations and historical events, prompting extensive demands for edits. The filmmakers maintained that the story was based on documented events and resisted major changes.

Viewers in UAE can watch Satluj on Zee5 Global link here.

Although many people on social media describe Satluj as a “banned” film, there has been no official declaration banning it in India. Instead, the project experienced years of certification delays, a title change, and its recent withdrawal from Indian streaming while legal matters are reviewed. The controversy has renewed debate over artistic freedom, censorship, and the portrayal of sensitive historical events in Indian cinema.