Over 50 Indian journalists, critics slam Satluj removal from streaming platform
New Delhi: More than 50 Indian journalists and film critics have condemned the removal of film Satluj from the OTT platform ZEE5 less than 48 hours after its release, describing the move as an instance of “executive overreach” and demanding transparency from the Indian government over the decision.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a joint statement addressed to Indian Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the signatories said director Honey Trehan’s Satluj began streaming on ZEE5 on July 3 but was removed from the platform’s India catalogue by July 5, with the platform stating that it would remain unavailable until further notice. Among those signing the statement were prominent journalists and film critics, including Namrata Joshi, Rahul Desai, Meenakshi Shedde, Vishal Menon, Mohar Basu, Priyanka Roy, Suparna Sharma, Shreevatsa Nevatia and S.R. Praveen.
The film, previously titled Punjab ’95, is based on the life of Sikh human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated extrajudicial killings and secret mass cremations in Punjab during the 1990s. The film had earlier faced years of delays, including the cancellation of its scheduled premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and repeated objections from India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The statement said the number of cuts demanded by the CBFC increased from 21 to 127 despite the board’s statutory role being limited to certification rather than censorship. It further noted that films released directly on OTT platforms do not require CBFC certification under India’s existing legal framework.
“The film’s uncut release on ZEE5 was possible because it did not require CBFC approval. That it could still be removed through a separate government mechanism amounts to executive overreach and reflects a sustained effort to prevent Satluj from reaching audiences,” the statement said.
The signatories also criticized the abolition of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), saying it had forced filmmakers into lengthy and costly legal battles, while accusing the CBFC and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of maintaining secrecy over decisions affecting films. They called on the ministry to disclose the legal basis for removing Satluj from ZEE5 and to make public the findings of the Inter-Departmental Committee that reviewed the film. The statement also expressed solidarity with director Honey Trehan, the cast, crew and producers.
Meanwhile, Sikh organizations and local communities across Punjab have begun organizing public screenings of Satluj using copies circulating online to ensure the film reaches audiences despite its removal from ZEE5. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also held a protest march in Amritsar and submitted a memorandum to the authorities demanding that restrictions on the film be lifted.
