Satluj Row: Gul Panag Supports Diljit Dosanjh Film; Says ‘Grew Up In Punjab During Brutal Years Of Militancy’

Diljit

Dosanjh’s Satluj’s removal from ZEE5 hours after its silent OTT release has become a hot topic of discussion on the internet. After a backlash, the Ministry of Information and Broadcast formed an intradepartmental committee to examine the content of the Honey Trehan film. Many celebrities came out in support of Satluj makers. Gul Panag, who was born and brought up in Punjab, backed the Diljit Dosanjh starrer and said she grew up during ‘brutal years of militancy’. Moreover, the actress also stated that the painful history of the state shouldn’t be erased.

Gul Panag Recalls Childhood Days In Punjab Amid Satluj Row

Gul Panag penned a couple of notes on X and supported Satluj makers. For the unversed, director Honey Trehan stood by his decision and didn’t succumb to the pressure. Gul praised the makers for doing the same and recalled her childhood days in Punjab. In a note, Gul Panag stated, “I grew up in Punjab during the brutal years of militancy. I remember reading newspaper headlines about buses being stopped and innocent passengers being pulled out and killed.” (sic) The actress also remembered how young men were being picked up, detained and tortured despite having no involvement in the movement. She mentioned that it has happened in her village as well.

Gul Panag wrote, “Those memories are precisely why I don’t believe we should become so uncomfortable with difficult chapters of our history that we stop telling stories about them.” (sic) According to the Dor actress, a film is not a history textbook. She feels the film tells a story through one lens and one perspective. She criticised the ban and said, “Debate it. Critique it. Counter it. Banning it is always counter productive. But don’t assume Punjab’s hard-won rejection of separatism is so fragile that a film can reverse it!!” (sic)

Apart from Kanwaljit Singh, who played the role of a cop in Satluj, lauded the director for holding his ground without succumbing to the pressure.

What Is Satluj Controversy?

Satluj is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who was reportedly abducted and killed in 1995 after collecting evidence behind the abduction and killings of over 2000 people in Tarn Taran, Punjab, after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. The film was earlier titled Panjab 95. It was supposed to release in 2023, but due to censorship issues, it was kept on hold for three years. The CBFC demanded over 120 cuts in the film. However, the director refused to do it. After three years, the makers silently released Satluj on ZEE5 on July 3. After a few hours, MIB directed the OTT platform to remove it. Diljit Dosanjh, in his Instagram Live, said that he had anticipated the ban. However, he is satisfied with the fact that the film has been watched by many people. The IDC will examine Satluj and is likely to give its suggestions on the film’s content soon.