Satluj finally begins streaming
Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj : After years of postponements and censorship hurdles, Diljit Dosanjh’s much-discussed film Panjab ’95 has finally reached audiences—but under a new title. Now called Satluj, the Honey Trehan directorial quietly premiered on Zee5 on Friday, ending a three-year wait marked by certification battles, title changes, and multiple release setbacks.
Inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, the film was originally slated for a global release in February last year before being indefinitely delayed.
Announcing the release, Zee5 shared a post on Instagram that read, “Some stories refuse to stay buried. Watch ‘Satluj’ streaming now only on Zee5.” The platform also tagged lead actor Diljit Dosanjh along with co-stars Arjun Rampal and Surinder Vicky.
Directed by Honey Trehan and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Satluj also features Varun Badola and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in pivotal roles. The film has remained at the centre of controversy for nearly three years after running into certification hurdles with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
From Ghalughara to Panjab ’95 and now Satluj
The film has undergone multiple title changes over the years. It was originally titled Ghalughara, inspired by the Ghalughara massacre, before being renamed Panjab ’95 in 2022. Now, it has finally been released as Satluj.
Its certification journey proved equally turbulent. After the film was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the board reportedly suggested around 120 cuts and also objected to its title. The matter later drew the attention of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), following which the CBFC eased its stance on the cuts but continued to insist on a title change. The film was subsequently retitled Panjab ’95, and although its trailer was released on YouTube the same year, it was taken down within a day.
TIFF premiere called off at the last minute
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The film’s hurdles didn’t end with its CBFC certification. In 2023, Satluj was scheduled to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), but it was pulled from the festival’s lineup just a day before its screening.
According to a report by Variety, a source claimed there were “political forces at play” behind the last-minute decision, pointing to Canada’s large Sikh population. However, the festival organisers neither confirmed nor denied the claim, and no official reason for the film’s removal was announced.
What is Satluj about?
Satluj is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a Punjab-based human rights activist who investigated the alleged fake encounters of Sikh youths and the mass cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in the state between 1984 and 1994.
Khalra disappeared in 1995 under mysterious circumstances. A decade later, in 2005, four police officers were arrested in connection with his alleged abduction and murder. In 2007, the Punjab and Haryana High Court enhanced their seven-year sentence to life imprisonment. His life and work remain a significant and sensitive chapter in Punjab’s history, making Satluj one of the most talked-about and controversial films in recent years.