A day after OTT platform Zee5 took down the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer “Satluj”, the Centre on Monday said certain portions of the film had the potential to be misused by anti-India forces.
Officials said there were concerns that parts of the film could be exploited to garner support for the long-waning pro-Khalistan movement, especially ahead of the Punjab elections.
“National security concerns outweigh everything else in such matters, and this is not about politics,” a government source said on the condition of anonymity.
Zee5 on Sunday issued an Instagram post confirming the takedown of “Satluj” and said it would not be available in India until further notice. The film’s story is based on the life of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra of Amritsar, who worked on alleged extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the height of militancy in the state.
The film’s original title was “Punjab 95”. Its release was delayed for several years after it was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022. The board had sought 127 cuts, following which the film was not released in theatres.
It was eventually released on the OTT platform before being taken down.
