According to reports citing government sources, the Centre directed ZEE5 to remove the film under provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Officials reportedly cited security-related concerns while defending the decision.

The development has drawn sharp reactions from filmmakers, artists and supporters of the film, many of whom have questioned the circumstances under which the title was withdrawn after being made available to viewers.

Government sources indicated that the project was originally submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 under the title Punjab 95. The film allegedly faced objections from the certification authority, which recommended a large number of cuts before granting approval.

According to officials, the suggested changes were not implemented by the filmmakers. The project later resurfaced under a different title, Satluj, and was released directly on an OTT platform, where CBFC certification is not mandatory under the existing regulatory framework.

Officials maintained that digital streaming content falls under the IT Rules, 2021, rather than the CBFC’s certification process. Once the matter came to the government's attention, ZEE5 was reportedly instructed to remove the film pending further directions.

The controversy intensified after filmmaker Anurag Kashyap publicly criticised the decision. In a social media post, Kashyap compared director Honey Trehan’s situation with that of acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who has faced censorship, restrictions and legal action in Iran over his films and public positions.

Kashyap’s remarks added an international dimension to the debate, with several film industry figures expressing concerns about creative freedom and the treatment of politically sensitive subjects in cinema.

Meanwhile, Diljit Dosanjh reacted to the film’s removal by stating that he had anticipated such a possibility. He claimed that many viewers had already downloaded the film and encouraged supporters to continue sharing it.

His remarks sparked another controversy, with copies of the film reportedly appearing across social media platforms and video-sharing websites. Clips and full versions of the movie began circulating online soon after it disappeared from the streaming service.

In response, ZEE5 issued a public appeal urging viewers not to support piracy. The platform stated that it was making efforts to resolve the situation and hoped the film could return in the future through appropriate channels.

At the centre of the dispute is the film’s subject matter. Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, whose work documenting alleged human rights violations in Punjab during the militancy era remains a sensitive chapter in Indian history.

The film was completed in 2023 and initially carried the title Punjab 95. Following objections and discussions regarding certification, the title was changed. The movie later received international exposure after being screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it drew attention for both its storyline and Diljit Dosanjh’s performance.

The film was subsequently released in select international markets before arriving on ZEE5 earlier this month.

Government-linked sources have reportedly argued that certain portions of the film could be vulnerable to misuse by anti-India elements or separatist groups. Concerns have also been raised about the possible interpretation of specific scenes in the context of pro-Khalistan narratives, particularly ahead of future political developments in Punjab.

Supporters of the film, however, argue that artistic works dealing with historical events should be evaluated on their merit and context rather than on speculative interpretations.

With the film now unavailable on its original streaming platform and piracy concerns growing, the debate surrounding Satluj has expanded beyond entertainment and into broader questions about digital regulation, censorship and freedom of expression in India.