3 Years. 3 Names. One Film That Finally Reached Audiences.
After nearly three years of waiting, Diljit Dosanjh’s long-delayed film has finally premiered. The movie, once known as Punjab ’95, now streams worldwide on ZEE5 under the title Satluj.
The film officially arrived on July 3, 2026. More importantly, viewers can now watch the uncut version, ending one of the biggest censorship battles in recent Indian cinema.
Is Satluj the Same Film as Punjab ’95?
Yes. Although the title changed several times, the story remained exactly the same.
Here’s how the film evolved:
- Ghallughara – The filmmakers originally chose this title. The Punjabi word refers to the historical mass killings of Sikhs in 1746, 1762, and 1984.
- Punjab ’95 – Later, the makers renamed the film after the CBFC objected to the original title during certification.
- Satluj – Finally, the team selected this title before releasing the movie globally on ZEE5.
The filmmakers submitted the movie to India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in late 2022. However, the board asked them to remove 21 scenes and change the title.
Instead of accepting those conditions, the filmmakers refused to alter their vision. As a result, the movie remained unreleased for almost three years.
Meanwhile, the team also withdrew the film from its planned premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival because the certification dispute remained unresolved.
What Is the Film About?
Satluj tells the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. During Punjab’s insurgency era in the 1980s and 1990s, Khalra spent years documenting thousands of alleged secret cremations linked to police killings.
According to his investigation:
- He documented more than 25,000 alleged disappearances.
- He presented his findings before international human rights organizations.
- In 1995, unknown men abducted him.
- Later, authorities recovered his body in 1996.
- Eventually, courts convicted six Punjab police officers for his murder.
Meanwhile, Diljit Dosanjh portrays Khalra in the film. He later revealed that the story deeply moved him and described the role as one of the most meaningful performances of his career.
Cast and Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Honey Trehan |
| Lead Actor | Diljit Dosanjh (Jaswant Singh Khalra) |
| Co-stars | Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, Kanwaljit Singh, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan |
| Producers | Ronnie Screwvala (RSVP), MacGuffin Pictures |
| Streaming Platform | ZEE5 |
| Release Date | July 3, 2026 |
Why Was the Release Delayed?
The production team completed the film in 2022. However, the release quickly stalled.
The CBFC demanded 21 cuts and also insisted on changing the original title Ghallughara. Nevertheless, the filmmakers refused to compromise.
Consequently, Punjab ’95 became one of India’s most talked-about unreleased films. Although several international festivals screened it, Indian audiences could not watch it for years.
Finally, after lengthy discussions, ZEE5 acquired the film and released the complete version worldwide.
Director Honey Trehan explained that the team always wanted to tell the story honestly, sensitively, and without compromise.
Is the ZEE5 Version Really Uncut?
Yes. Both the producers and ZEE5 say the platform released the original version without edits.
In addition, ZEE5 Hindi content head Kaveri Das described the film as a story about courage, resilience, and justice. She added that the movie deserved a platform willing to present it exactly as the creators intended.
Likewise, producer Ronnie Screwvala confirmed that audiences are watching the film without any cuts or compromises.
Furthermore, OTT platforms in India do not require CBFC certification. Therefore, ZEE5 could stream the original version, while a theatrical release would still have needed board approval.
Why This Release Matters
The release of Satluj has revived several important discussions.
For example, many people are once again debating censorship and artistic freedom in Indian cinema. At the same time, others are questioning how much authority the CBFC should have when OTT platforms distribute films.
Moreover, the movie brings renewed attention to Jaswant Singh Khalra’s legacy, which has rarely appeared in mainstream Indian cinema.
Finally, the film revisits Punjab’s insurgency period, a chapter of Indian history that filmmakers have explored only occasionally.
As a result, the release has already sparked widespread discussions across social media, where many viewers have praised the film and recommended it as essential viewing.
Where to Watch Satluj
- Platform: ZEE5
- Availability: Worldwide, including India
- Version: Original uncut director’s cut
- Language: Hindi with subtitles