Following its recent removal from ZEE5, the film “Satluj,” directed by Honey Trehan, has encountered an additional hurdle as IMDb has erased the film’s user rating from its site. Initially, on Tuesday, “Satluj” boasted an impressive 9.5 rating, making it the top-rated Indian film on IMDb. However, by Wednesday, that rating was no longer visible.
Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta expressed his concerns over the integrity of IMDb ratings on social media, stating, “Rated 9.5 till yesterday. Gone today. Not that I ever trusted or believed in IMDb ratings. But this proves how bogus they are.”
In response to the rating removal, Niren Bhatt, co-writer of “Satluj,” conveyed his confusion regarding the situation. He remarked, “We weren’t informed about the film’s release schedule, nor were we aware of its removal. Regarding the IMDb rating, we have no idea who might have had an issue with it or what that issue is. There has been a complete lack of communication.”
Previously, Bhatt criticized the opaque nature of the film’s release issues. In an interview with Variety India, he commented, “I feel someone within the establishment has a significant problem with this film, but the main issue is the utter lack of communication. For years, it has been nothing but stonewalling. The CBFC remains silent, refusing to communicate their concerns or specify which elements they find objectionable. Even now, while ZEE5 issues a statement regarding ‘current developments,’ they fail to clarify what those developments entail. If there are issues, we need to engage in dialogue, but how can we do that when they simply remove our work without explanation?”
Addressing concerns that the film might be exploited by “anti-India forces” or international entities, Bhatt rejected this notion as unfounded. He stated, “That argument simply does not hold. If ‘The Kashmir Files’ and ‘The Kerala Story’ can be released without being labeled as tools for international agendas, why is our film singled out as a potential threat? It is absurd to make paranoid assumptions merely to suppress a straightforward biographical film.”
Furthermore, Bhatt confirmed that the creators intend to contest the decision legally. “Our next course of action is clear: we will appeal in court. This film has been unjustly halted, and those with concerns must legally articulate them so we can respond. The judiciary has previously supported filmmakers; a notable example is ‘Udta Punjab,’ which faced an initial demand for 94 cuts but ultimately was released with just one after legal intervention. We are optimistic that we can achieve a similar outcome, allowing ‘Satluj’ to resume streaming shortly.”
“Satluj” debuted on ZEE5 on July 3 after a prolonged struggle to obtain a CBFC certificate, which took nearly four years. Unfortunately, the film was pulled from the platform just two days post-release. Reports suggest that ZEE5 was instructed to remove the film due to “security concerns” and in compliance with the Information Technology Rules of 2021. According to PTI, the filmmakers had sought certification in 2022 under the original title “Punjab 95,” but the process stalled after they declined to make the 127 cuts recommended by the board.
A government official informed PTI, “They delayed addressing the suggested cuts and subsequently released the movie quietly on OTT under a new title. OTT platforms do not fall under the jurisdiction of the CBFC. Once the government became aware of the situation, ZEE was directed to take the film down due to security concerns. The platform was reminded to adhere to the obligations set forth in intermediary guidelines. If they wish to release the film in theaters and on OTT, they must comply with the established norms.”
Originally titled “Punjab 95,” “Satluj” narrates the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a banker who became a prominent human rights activist in Punjab, alleging that state forces were involved in extrajudicial killings. The narrative focuses on the events leading up to his abduction in 1995, after which four Punjab Police officers were convicted of his kidnapping and murder in 2005, receiving life sentences.
The film features Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role and is produced by Honey Trehan, Abhishek Chaubey, and Ronnie Screwvala, with notable performances from Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.
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