When Honey Trehan's Satluj quietly premiered on ZEE5 earlier this month, it appeared to mark the end of a prolonged struggle to bring the film before audiences. Instead, less than 48 hours later, the streaming platform removed it from its catalogue in India, citing "current developments" without elaborating further. The abrupt takedown was the latest setback in a release journey that has included a withdrawn world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), a lengthy certification dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and multiple delays spanning nearly three years.
Originally titled Punjab '95, the film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies during Punjab's insurgency before he was abducted and murdered in 1995. The case later led to the conviction of several Punjab Police officials.
A TIFF Premiere That Never Happened
In July 2023, Punjab '95 was announced as a Gala Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was scheduled to have its world premiere. It was among the highest-profile Indian titles in that year's lineup.
Less than a month later, however, the film was withdrawn from the festival before its premiere. TIFF confirmed that the decision had been made by the filmmakers. While neither the festival nor the producers offered a detailed explanation, reports linked the withdrawal to the film's ongoing certification issues in India and concerns surrounding its release.
The withdrawal meant the film lost what would have been its international launch at one of the world's leading film festivals.
The Long Certification Battle
The project's difficulties stemmed from its certification process in India. Submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022, the film reportedly received a large number of suggested modifications, including a change of title and extensive edits.
The producers challenged the CBFC's recommendations before the Bombay High Court, arguing that the requested cuts would substantially alter the film. The legal proceedings continued for months before the petition was eventually withdrawn.
During this period, the film remained unreleased despite having completed production.
From Punjab '95 to Satluj
Rather than pursue a theatrical release, the producers eventually opted for a direct-to-streaming launch. The film was retitled Satluj and premiered on ZEE5 on July 3.
Director Honey Trehan stated that the version released on the platform was the complete film in its original form.
However, the release proved to be short-lived.
On July 5, ZEE5 announced that Satluj would be unavailable in India "until further notice" due to "current developments." The platform did not specify what those developments were, but said it remained committed to bringing the film back through due process.
Subsequent reports indicated that the film was also removed from ZEE5's international catalogue, effectively ending its brief official release worldwide.
An Unusual Release History
Few contemporary Indian films have experienced such an extended and fragmented release journey. Since its completion, Satluj has been announced for a major international festival, withdrawn before its premiere, become the subject of a prolonged certification dispute, retitled for release, briefly premiered on streaming, and then disappeared from the platform within two days.
Whether and when Satluj returns to audiences remains uncertain. For now, its release history has become almost as notable as the film itself.
