Diljit Dosanjh Took No Fee for ‘Satluj’ Amid ZEE5 Takedown

As the biopic on activist Jaswant Singh Khalra faces sudden removal from streaming, director Honey Trehan reveals the lead actor's selfless commitment to the project.

MUMBAI — The biographical drama Satluj, directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh, has been abruptly removed from the streaming platform ZEE5 in India, just two days after its much-anticipated release. Amid the unfolding controversy surrounding the film’s disappearance, director Honey Trehan has revealed that lead actor Diljit Dosanjh waived his entire acting fee to ensure the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra reached the public.

"He didn't take a single rupee," Trehan stated in recent interviews, highlighting Dosanjh’s deep commitment to the project. The film, which chronicles the life and investigations of Khalra—a human rights activist who exposed the mass illegal cremation of unidentified bodies in Punjab during the 1990s—has faced a protracted three-year battle with censorship and regulatory hurdles.

A Film in Limbo

Originally titled Panjab 95, the film was renamed Satluj for its direct-to-OTT release on July 3, 2026. The production had previously been caught in a cycle of demands from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which had reportedly requested 127 cuts to the film’s content, including changes to names and historical references. Despite the pressures, the version released on ZEE5 was uncut.

By Sunday evening, however, ZEE5 issued a statement confirming the film’s removal in India "in light of the current developments." The platform noted that Satluj would remain unavailable "until further notice" while it explores legal avenues to restore access.

Diljit Dosanjh’s Stance

Diljit Dosanjh, who had accurately predicted that the film might be pulled from the platform within days of its release, has been vocal about the project's significance. During an Instagram Live session prior to the removal, the actor-singer emphasized that his primary motivation was the narrative's importance. "More than money, it is important for the film to reach the audience," Dosanjh stated, noting that he would have refused to promote the film if even a single scene had been censored or cut.

Following the takedown, Dosanjh took to social media to share a clip from the film with the caption, "I challenge the darkness." He drew a poignant parallel between the film's sudden removal and the fate of Jaswant Singh Khalra himself, who was abducted and murdered in 1995 after exposing state-level abuses.

Official Sources and Statements

ZEE5’s official statement reaffirmed its support for the "creative vision" behind the film, stating: “We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.”

Director Honey Trehan, reacting to the removal on Instagram, shared a message of acceptance, writing in Punjabi: "Tera bhana meetha lage," a phrase expressing submission to divine will. The film’s production team—comprising MacGuffin Pictures and RSVP—has yet to provide further details regarding the specific "developments" cited by the streaming platform.

Why It Matters

The removal of Satluj has ignited a widespread debate regarding artistic freedom and the regulation of OTT content in India. For viewers and civil society advocates, the film’s troubled journey—from the CBFC’s original censorship demands to its eventual "guerrilla" style release and subsequent shadow ban—underscores the ongoing tensions between creative storytelling and political sensitivity. The revelation that the film’s lead star performed without compensation has only deepened public sympathy for the project, casting it as a work of advocacy rather than standard commercial cinema.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Film Title: Satluj (formerly Panjab 95).

• Subject: The life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed mass illegal cremations in Punjab.

• Release Status: Released uncut on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026; removed in India on July 5, 2026.

• Actor's Contribution: Diljit Dosanjh waived his entire acting fee for the role.

• Censorship History: The film reportedly faced 127 requested cuts by the CBFC, leading to a three-year delay in its release.

FAQ

Why was Satluj removed from ZEE5?

ZEE5 cited "current developments" for the removal but provided no specific legal or political reasons.

Will the film return to streaming?

ZEE5 has stated it is exploring avenues through "due process" to bring the film back to audiences at the earliest opportunity.

Is Satluj available anywhere else?

The film remains available to stream for international audiences on ZEE5 Global.

What did Diljit Dosanjh say about the takedown?

Dosanjh compared the film’s removal to the fate of Jaswant Singh Khalra, noting that the events being discussed were silenced in 1995 and are facing similar suppression today.

Source: Gulf News, India Today, The Indian Express, Times of India