Even after being removed from ZEE5 in India, Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj continues to generate discussion across the world. Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi has now claimed that the film is being shared extensively on WhatsApp, especially among viewers in the United States.
Speaking exclusively to media, Jassi said the film remains accessible outside India and has continued to find audiences despite being taken down from the streaming platform.
Jasbir Jassi Says Satluj Is Reaching Viewers Overseas
Jassi claimed that people living in the United States and several other countries are still able to watch Satluj. He also said that the film has spread rapidly through WhatsApp sharing.
“People in America can watch it, and so can viewers in the rest of the world. I’ll also tell you that people have shared it on WhatsApp so extensively and downloaded it so many times that I don’t think any film has ever appeared on people’s WhatsApp 10, 12, or even 15 times,” he said.
His remarks come just days after the film was removed from ZEE5 in India.
Questions Raised Over the Film’s Removal
Jasbir Jassi also questioned the decision to remove Satluj from the streaming platform.
He said he could not understand why the film was taken down and added that, in his opinion, nothing in the movie justified such a move.
“I don’t understand why it was banned. There was nothing in the film that warranted a ban. If any government, agency, or police department believes it portrays the police as helpless, then I would say it is not about helplessness but about incompetence and serious misconduct,” he said.
His comments add to the growing debate surrounding the film’s removal.
Satluj Has Been Surrounded by Controversy for Years
Satluj is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist known for exposing alleged illegal disappearances and secret cremations during Punjab’s militancy period.
The film’s journey to release has been marked by several hurdles.
Originally titled Punjab 95, it was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022. However, it remained stuck in the certification process for nearly three years.
Director Honey Trehan had earlier alleged that the CBFC suggested 127 cuts to the film.
The movie was also scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023. However, the screening was reportedly cancelled after objections were raised by Indian authorities.
Released on ZEE5 Before Being Removed
After years of delays, the film finally premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 under the new title Satluj.
However, the streaming platform removed it from India just two days later.
In its official statement, ZEE5 said the film would remain unavailable in India until further notice while it explores appropriate legal avenues to restore it for viewers.
About the Film
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj stars Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role alongside Kanwaljeet Singh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
The film tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra and highlights one of the most debated chapters in Punjab’s recent history. Despite its removal in India, the conversation around the film continues to grow both within the country and among international audiences.