Cinema VinesHoney Trehan’s biopic of Jaswant Singh Khalra, titled Satluj (formerly Panjab ’95), made a brief appearance on the Indian streaming platform Zee5, debuting on 3 July and being pulled down by 5 July. The film, which stars Diljit Dosanjh in the title role, was never cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) because the makers did not comply with required cuts and missed a theatrical release window. As a result, the movie was removed from the platform within 48 hours.
After the removal, Trehan announced on Instagram that fans, the Khalra family, and even Diljit Dosanjh had reached out with offers of financial support to help recoup the film’s losses. He thanked those who had sent money, gifts or donations, but made it clear that the film’s production team, including RSVP, would not accept any contributions. “Your love and support is more than enough,” Trehan wrote, adding that any money raised in the film’s name was unrelated to the team.
Trehan also revealed that well‑wishers in India and abroad were donating money to Gurudwaras in an attempt to help the producers recover losses. He expressed gratitude for the gesture but reiterated that the film’s creators could not accept the donations. The director urged viewers to see the film as a tribute to Khalra’s life and to human rights, and to treat it as a collective act of remembrance rather than a commercial venture.
Officials from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting explained that the film lacked the necessary certification for a theatrical release. Instead of following the certification process, the makers changed the title and released it on an OTT platform, which led to its swift removal. Following the ban, the film was reportedly pirated and screened in unauthorized public gatherings.
Despite the setbacks, Trehan remains optimistic about the film’s legacy. He thanked supporters for their emotional and moral backing and called for continued kindness, courage, and love to “challenge the darkness” in the fight for truth and justice.
