Centre forms high-level panel to examine Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj’

Following the abrupt pull-down of Diljit Dosanjh-starrer ‘Satluj’ from Zee5, the Centre has reportedly formed a high-level interdepartmental committee to examine the contents of the film.

ANI, quoting sources in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said the panel will make recommendations to the Centre after examining the content.

Contentious theme

The film, directed by Honey Trehan, is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, played by Diljit. The film, which captures insurgency-era Punjab, shows the journey of Khalra as he investigates the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab between 1984 – the year the anti-Sikh riot – broke out and his disappearance in 1995.

Also read: 'Satluj' spreads misinformation on Punjab insurgency: Lawyer seeks FIR against Diljit Dosanjh

The film has courted controversy for depicting alleged extra-judicial killings in Punjab during the 10-year period.

Centre cites security concerns

The Centre on Sunday directed OTT platform ZEE5 to take down the film, ‘citing “security concerns” and “obligations” under IT Rules 2021

The censor board had delayed the film’s release for three years over concerns over certain portions. The makers had later released the uncut version on Zee5 on Friday.

OTT content does not come under the purview of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and is regulated under the provisions of Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

CBFC suggested 127 cuts

A government official said that the makers of ‘Sutlej’ had applied for CBFC certification in 2022 under its original title 'Punjab 95', but they did not accept the 127 cuts suggested by the censor board and withheld its release.

Also read: Political row erupts in Punjab after Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' is removed from ZEE5

“They kept sitting on the suggested cuts and eventually released the movie quietly on OTT with a new title. OTT does not come under the CBFC's jurisdiction. When the matter came to the government's notice, Zee was asked to take it (the film) down.

“The direction was given due to security concerns. The OTT platform was asked to follow the obligations under intermediary guidelines. If they want to release the film in theatres and on OTT, they should follow the laid-down norms,” the official told PTI.

Zee5 while supporting the film had stated that it will remain unavailable in India until further notice.