Diljit DosanjhThe film spent nearly three years stuck in a cycle of delays, title changes, and censorship battles. The social drama, previously titled Punjab 95, started airing on OTT on July 3 after a protracted battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Remarkably, despite years of effort, the film was released without the edits its makers had long resisted. Interestingly, the film underwent two name changes before reaching this point: initially announced as ‘Ghallughara’, later renamed as ‘Punjab ’95’ during the certification process, and finally released as ‘Satluj’, named after the river that flows through Punjab.
Diljit Dosanjh confirms the film is unedited
A key question hanging over the film’s release was whether the producers would eventually give in to the CBFC’s demands. Diljit has now dismissed the speculation and confirmed that they did not do so. In an Instagram live on Friday, soon after the launch of “Satluj”, the actor said that the film has been released in its original, unmodified form. “Our film has finally been released on Zee5. Unfortunately, due to some reasons, we could not retain the original title Punjab 95, so it is now called Satluj. But there is absolutely no editing in this movie. The version I saw in theaters two years ago is exactly the same version I watched at home last week. I wouldn’t be promoting the movie if there was even one cut,” the singer said during an Instagram Live on Friday.
Dear Trehan backs claim that movie was untouched
Director Honey Trehan also spoke about the matter during a live broadcast and revealed that Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of late human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, watched the film for the second time after its release and confirmed that the film is exactly the same. “Paramjit aunty also shared a post about the film and said it was exactly the same as the version she had seen before. Only the title has changed. He also emphasized that the team remained steadfast throughout the certification process, adding, “Everything I objected to, every word I refused to have cut or muted, is still in the film.” ““
“Satluj fought a long and tiring battle with CBFC
“Satluj”‘s troubles began when it was first submitted to the CBFC in late 2022, kicking off a long and laborious certification process. Instead of getting the green light, the film ran into one obstacle after another as the board kept raising new objections. The CBFC reportedly requested as many as 127 changes, including renaming the protagonists, cutting out shots of the Indian flag and removing references to the Punjab Police. Haney had earlier spoken out about how exhausting the ordeal was, explaining that every time producers addressed a round of objections and resubmitted the film, another checklist would appear across their desks. Things finally came to a head, with the director saying he would rather have his name removed from the project entirely than give in to demands for cuts.
The real story behind ‘Satluj’
The film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the disappearance of thousands of Sikh youths during the armed struggle in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s. By reviewing crematorium records across the state, Kara uncovered evidence of large-scale illegal cremations and alleged orchestrated conflicts. His investigations brought international attention to the issue and helped document the disappearance of more than 25,000 people. Khalra was kidnapped by the Punjab police on September 6, 1995, from outside her residence in Kabir Park, Amritsar. He was reportedly tortured and killed, and his body was allegedly dumped in the Harike Canal. In 2005, a Patiala court convicted several police officers involved in the case, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court subsequently upheld the original conviction and increased their sentences to life imprisonment.
Satluji’s troubles outside India
‘Satluj’ is also facing problems outside India. The film was originally scheduled to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, but was removed from the schedule the day before its release. Variety cited sources as saying “political forces were at play,” but the festival never gave an official reason. Meanwhile, in India, delays are increasing. “Satluj” was initially planned to release in theaters in February 2025, but that never happened as the film was stuck in the certification process. The film is directed by Honey Trehan and co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies and MacGuffin Pictures. Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun RampalKanwarjit Singh, Surwind VickyGeetika Vidya Ohlyan and Varun Badora.
