Months before Satluj vanished, Honey Trehan told us why he kept hoping

Less than two days after its long-awaited release on OTT platform Zee5, Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj, previously titled Punjab 95, has been taken down from the streaming service in India.

Some viewers said the film vanished midway through their viewing. Zee5 said it stood firmly behind the film but confirmed that it would remain unavailable for streaming in India until further notice. “We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity. Our commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering,” the statement read. 

Originally titled Punjab 95, the film traces the journey of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged mass disappearances and extra-judicial killings in Punjab during the turbulent 10-year period from 1984 to 1994, before “disappearing” in 1995. The film had originally been slated for a theatrical release on February 7 last year. However, it remained in limbo after the Central Board of Film Certification refused certification and reportedly asked the makers to implement 127 cuts before approving it for theatrical release. After months of uncertainty, the uncut version was eventually released directly on Zee5 with the different title.

Besides Diljit Dosanjh, the film also stars Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan. It is directed by Honey Trehan. 

If you have followed Newslaundry’s coverage of the film’s long and troubled journey, this latest development will sound familiar. At The Media Rumble last year, while Punjab 95 was still awaiting certification, Honey Trehan spoke candidly about the uncertainty surrounding its release. He revealed that he had submitted the film to the CBFC in December 2022 and was still waiting for approval nearly two years later. Asked whether he was still hopeful, Honey replied, “Yes, I think only me.” Watch the full session here.

Speaking about the cuts in an episode of South Central, Honey Trehan had said, “Khalra has been part of my childhood, the story of my land. I feel like he has been abducted again now, with his story being censored.” He adds that challenging Khalra’s story is equal to challenging the Constitution itself, because it is an assault on our right to freedom of speech and expression.

Tune into the full conversation here.

Following the film’s release on Zee5, Trehan had described Satluj as a “labour of love“ made with honesty, sensitivity, and without compromise.

“After a long wait, audiences will finally witness our labour of love and hard work. Satluj is not just the story of one individual; it is a tribute to the strength of human spirit in the face of adversity. Everyone associated with the film deeply believed in the importance of this narrative, as it draws inspiration from the life of the great martyr Jaswant Singh. I'm delighted that it is now reaching audiences on Zee 5,“ he said.

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