Diljit Dosanjh Speaks Out Following Satluj’s ZEE5 Removal: “I Expected a Ban on Monday”
Actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh has spoken out for the first time following the removal of his latest film, Satluj, from ZEE5 in India just two days after its release. While he did not directly address the controversy surrounding the film’s sudden disappearance, he shared a poignant social media post that reflects his sentiments on the matter. The film, originally titled Punjab 95, premiered on July 3, 2026, but was taken down on the evening of July 5, with ZEE5 citing “current developments” as the reason.
Diljit Dosanjh’s Reaction on Social Media
Taking to Instagram, Diljit shared a still from Satluj accompanied by a powerful caption: “I challenge the darkness.” He further expressed his thoughts in Punjabi, drawing a parallel between the film’s fate and the life of the man whose story inspired it, stating, “The same thing that happened to Satluj also happened to Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra.” This message resonated with many, as it highlighted the film’s connection to significant historical events.
In a live interaction with fans, Diljit candidly discussed the film’s removal. He revealed that he had anticipated such an outcome. “My love and respect to all of you. What I had already expected is exactly what happened. I thought the film might get banned when offices will open on Monday, but I didn’t know it would happen as early as Sunday evening,” he said. Despite the film’s removal, he expressed satisfaction that audiences had the chance to watch it during its brief availability.
The Journey of Satluj
Diljit reflected on the extensive effort that went into creating Satluj, describing it as a long and emotionally demanding journey. The team spent nearly six to seven years working on the project, facing numerous obstacles along the way. “We’ve been fighting for four years. Who knows, maybe it’ll come back again if we get another chance to continue the fight. But I’m content that the movie is finally out,” he shared. He also noted that the uncertainty surrounding the film’s future influenced their promotional strategy, leading them to limit their marketing efforts.
Despite the challenges, Diljit found joy in the film’s impact. “But now I have the satisfaction that at least our work has reached people the way we wanted it to. People have already downloaded it. One thing that made me especially happy was seeing that they’re even screening the movie with a projector at Gurudwara Sahib. It brought me immense joy to see that,” he added. He also remarked on the digital age, stating, “Once something is on the internet, I don’t think it can ever truly be deleted.”
ZEE5’s Statement on the Film’s Removal
In response to the film’s removal, ZEE5 issued a statement confirming that Satluj would be unavailable in India until further notice. The platform expressed its commitment to exploring every appropriate avenue to bring the film back to audiences as soon as possible. “In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable 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,” the statement read.
ZEE5 also expressed gratitude to viewers for their overwhelming response during the film’s brief availability. “We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch, and champion the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life,” the platform added. The controversy surrounding Satluj stems from its basis in the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed alleged extrajudicial killings during Punjab’s militancy era in the 1990s.
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