Even the movie Satluj, the political drama with Diljit Dosanjh, is getting a lot of traction after the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) announced that it will organise public screenings of the film despite it being removed from the streaming platform ZEE5.
The DSGMC has vehemently protested the film’s takedown and claimed a bid to suppress the story of the world’s leading human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Committee members believe that the film is part of the history of Punjab that must be available to the public for education and historical research.
Satluj (Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role) has received a lot of attention for the life and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who became known for exposing allegations of illegal killings and disappearances in Punjab during the militancy era. The film will explore Khalra’s struggle for justice and human rights.
As the film was removed from ZEE5, the DSGMC was disappointed that we should be able to see and get a sense of what happened in the film. Cinema is vital for preserving historical narratives and leading to public conversation about issues in social life, said the committee.
To engage the public in the production of the film, the DSGMC has announced plans to organize screenings at appropriate venues. In addition to screenings in the film community, the committee also plans educational seminars and discussions about Jaswant Singh Khalra’s life, contributions, and legacy. These discussions are expected to include scholars, community leaders, and the public to have a conversation about the historical events in the film.
The committee said it is not just about the movie but the memory of the past and how history and the people who fought for justice and human rights. Public screenings of the film are the aim because people who may never have seen it will see it.
However, neither ZEE5 nor the filmmakers have made public statements about the incident publicly available at all. On social media, there has been much debate; people say it's a decision that has caused much of a firestorm on social media, with some supporters of ZEE5 and the filmmakers demanding better transparency and others waiting for an official response from ZEE5 to explain what happened.
The issue has also revived the discussion on artistic freedom, historical stories, and the role of streaming platforms in delivering politically sensitive content. There are different opinions on the issue, and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee’s announcement has ensured Satluj is at the center of attention.
As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on whether the planned screenings will go forward as planned and whether an official response from ZEE5 or the filmmakers will further clarify when the film will be available.
