New Delhi: After Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj was banned in India and pulled down from Zee5, the pirated copies of the controversial film surfaced online. Several
social media users claimed that the film was already available on several piracy websites.
Satluj, based on the Jaswant Singh Khalra, a real-life activist who documented evidence suggesting that thousands of people were killed and illegally cremated during the insurgency in Punjab. In 1995, Khalra was abducted and later killed.
Satluj HD version leaks online
Screenshots of the movie listed in HD quality began circulating on X (formerly Twitter), and some users even shared direct links to illegal streaming and download sites.
Some users urged other people to not circulate the pirated copies as it can lead to filmmakers incurring losses, especially when there is still a possibility that the film could return to Zee5. Others appealed to people to respect the hard work of the film’s team, saying that illegal distribution undermines the efforts of people involved in filmmaking.
Diljit Dosanjh reacts to Satluj being banned in India
During a live session on Instagram, Diljit urged people to circulate downloaded version of Satluj. He said, “Now you can share it among yourselves, it’s your film. But I’m happy and relieved that the film finally reached the audience. Many people have already downloaded it. Once anything lands online, it never gets deleted. I saw a video from Rajasthan where people are watching the film; I felt very happy. Please show it to your friends and everyone around you. “Many people have downloaded the film. Those who haven’t watched the film, you share the film with each other.”
“Everyone has the film. Those who haven’t watched it can show it to their friends and companions. As for today, it’s Monday; I hear the film is still available abroad, let’s see how long it stays. Or if the film comes back somewhere, if they can fight for this cause… we have been fighting for this for the last four years,” he added.
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Honey Trehan’s investigative thriller, Satluj, was released on Zee5 on June 3 and was removed from the platform on June 5. The film had a three-year-long censorship battle with the Central Board of Certification (CBFC). The censor board demanded 125 cuts in the movie, including the removal of the name Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film was finally released on OTT without cuts.
Zee5 announced in its statement, “In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity. At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives. Our commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering.”
