Why Was Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' Removed From ZEE5? Film's Sudden OTT Exit Triggers Political Outrage

According to PTI, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal reacted sharply to the decision, saying, "This is not just censorship, but an attack on our collective memory, truth, and freedom of expression. Punjab deserves to face its past honestly, not through repression."

Senior Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Aam Aadmi Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang echoed his sentiments, saying that when a nation becomes afraid of its own history, censorship becomes its most dangerous weapon.

SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan said the public has every right to know the truth. Regarding the film's removal from OTT platforms, Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon said, "I am investigating the reason behind it. We are pursuing this matter."

According to Entertainment Bureau, during an Instagram Live from the US on Monday, Diljit Dosanjh said, "I sensed on Friday itself that something like this was going to happen. This was already in my mind." So the film's ban wasn't a shock to me. I thought it would be banned after offices reopened on Monday.

But I had no idea it would happen on Sunday evening. We didn't even promote the film. We simply released it quietly. I'm satisfied that people saw the film and it reached them. The more efforts are made to stop it, the more popular it will become.

It's worth noting that in a statement issued by ZEE5 on Sunday, it said, "Given the current circumstances, Satluj will not be available in India until further notice. We are committed to exploring every possible avenue through the correct process to bring the film back to our audiences as soon as possible." However, the digital platform did not specify the reason for removing the film.