Satluj Removed From ZEE5 Worldwide? Diljit Dosanjh’s Film Pulled Internationally, Director Confirms

The controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj continues to grow. Days after the film was taken down from ZEE5 India, it has now reportedly been removed from ZEE5’s international library as well. The latest development was confirmed by director Honey Trehan, ending speculation over the film’s availability for viewers outside India.

Originally released under the title Punjab 95, the film had finally premiered on ZEE5 after facing nearly four years of delays due to certification and censorship-related issues. While it initially remained available for international audiences after its India takedown, that window now appears to have closed.

The Film’s Rocky Road to Release

Satluj finally premiered on ZEE5 last Friday after nearly four years of delays tied to censorship and certification hurdles. The relief was short-lived — within 48 hours, the film was taken down in India on government orders, though it remained accessible to audiences outside the country. That international availability has now ended too.

Honey Trehan Confirms: It’s Gone Internationally Too

When SCREEN asked director Honey Trehan whether Satluj had disappeared from ZEE5’s international catalogue, he gave a one-word confirmation: “Yes.”

The removal was first spotted by users on social media before being confirmed. On X, viewers flagged that the film was gone internationally as well, and on Reddit, some framed the takedown as evidence that efforts to suppress the film hadn’t stopped at India’s borders. Ironically, several viewers noted the controversy has only fueled more curiosity — with some pointing out that even non-Punjabi audiences only heard about the film because of the ban, and others acknowledging that pirated copies were already spreading online, while arguing the makers still deserved to be paid for their work.

Why Was Satluj Removed In The First Place?

ZEE5 had earlier put out a brief statement after the India takedown, essentially saying the film would stay unavailable in India for now while the platform explored every proper channel to bring it back as soon as possible.

Co-producer Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies also weighed in through a spokesperson, confirming to SCREEN that the government has pulled it down, while expressing hope for its return soon.

According to PTI, a government official said the film had originally been submitted to the CBFC in 2022 under the title Punjab 95, but the makers didn’t agree to the board’s proposed 127 cuts. The official further claimed the film was later released directly on OTT under a new title without CBFC certification, prompting ZEE5 to be asked to remove it over security concerns.

What Is Satluj About?

Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. It revisits Punjab’s militancy-era history, focusing on disappearances, alleged extrajudicial killings, illegal detentions, and the reported cremation of unidentified bodies during counter-insurgency operations — subject matter that has made the film politically sensitive from the start.

Before the takedown, Honey Trehan had said he genuinely didn’t know who had objected to the film, noting that every complaint had reached him only through third parties or lawyers, without a name or face attached.

Alongside Diljit Dosanjh, the film stars Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.

What Happens Next?

Neither ZEE5 nor the makers have announced a timeline for the film’s return, in India or internationally. RSVP Movies has expressed hope the film will be back “soon,” but as of now, Satluj remains unavailable on the platform everywhere.

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