Niren Bhatt Challenges Satluj’s Removal: “If The Kashmir Files Can Be Shown, Why Not Us?”
When “Satluj” made its unexpected debut on ZEE5 late Friday night, co-writer Niren Bhatt felt a wave of relief wash over him after a grueling three-year battle. However, that relief was short-lived as the biographical drama was abruptly pulled from the platform in India by Sunday evening. The film’s tumultuous journey has sparked conversations about censorship and the challenges faced by filmmakers in India.
A Miraculous Release, Then Silence
Originally titled “Panjab 95,” the film faced significant hurdles, including an unprecedented 127 cuts mandated by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In an interview with Variety India, Bhatt expressed his surprise at the film’s digital release. “Honestly, we only found out on Friday evening when we got a message saying it was live,” he shared. “No one had a clue. We had completely given up hope that it would ever release. Honey (Trehan) was in talks with RSVP, but even he did not believe it would actually happen until it dropped. For the last four years, we have lived with these endless cycles of conversations, so when it finally went live, I genuinely believed it was safe.”
The film’s sudden availability was a moment of triumph for the team, but it quickly turned into disappointment as ZEE5 removed it from their platform just two days later. The abrupt withdrawal has left many questioning the future of such projects in the Indian film industry.
Comparisons to Other Controversial Films
Bhatt has pushed back against claims that “Satluj” could be misused by “anti-India forces.” He pointed to other controversial films that have been released without similar scrutiny. “That argument simply does not hold,” he stated. “If The Kashmir Files can exist, if The Kerala Story can exist, why can they exist without being labeled tools for international forces? Why is our film the chosen one that will suddenly be misused by extreme elements? You cannot jump to far-fetched, paranoid conclusions just to suppress a straightforward biography. It makes absolutely no sense.”
He further noted that the film’s suppression has backfired, leading to increased international curiosity and a rise in piracy. “Banning or restricting content is a false move because it only triggers immense curiosity,” Bhatt explained. “People loved the film. There are thousands of videos and tweets from viewers saying they broke down or were left speechless. When a movie evokes such a profound emotional reaction, word of mouth travels fast. If people cannot find it on an official platform, they will inevitably look elsewhere. It is deeply frustrating because this film belonged in theaters. They stopped our premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, they blocked the international theatrical release and now they are pausing it on OTT.”
The Emotional Toll and Future of Storytelling
Reflecting on the emotional toll of this journey, Bhatt expressed uncertainty about the implications for future storytelling in India. “The world needs stories like this,” he said, “but after watching what we went through, who will ever dare to attempt a movie like this again?” His comments resonate with many in the industry who fear that censorship could stifle creativity and bold narratives.
Currently, “Satluj” remains unavailable for streaming in India, with no updates on when it may return to ZEE5. Bhatt mentioned that the filmmakers plan to challenge the decision in court, while the reasons behind the film’s removal have not been officially disclosed.
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