Diljit Dosanjh has shared his first post after his latest film Satluj, directed by Honey Trehan was removed from OTT platform Zee5 just two days after its release on the streamer.
Sharing a video where his character Jaswant Singh Khalra was seen saying an emotional dialogue in a wounded state, the singer-songwriter-actor wrote, "#ichallengethedarkness Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra Ji Panjab 95 SATLUJ naal v oh hee hoyea jo Khalra Saab naal hoyea c." (Satluj underwent the same fate as Khalra saab)."
The film fraternity has been in a state of shock and anger ever since the film was pulled down from the streaming service on Sunday with many from the industry including actors expressing their disappointment on the move.
In its statement, Zee5 said that the film will be unavailable in the country until further notice. "The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life," it said, assuring that they "remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity."
Honey Trehan also shared a note on social media after the incident, saying, "Tera bhana meetha lage (God’s will is sweet)." Speaking to the The Indian Express, he said, "I got to know about the removal of Satluj from ZEE5 in India at around 8.15 pm on Sunday. I am at a loss right now. I don’t know how to react to this development."
Satluj is a biopic of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who shed light on Punjab police's extra-judicial killing of about 25,000 people at the time of insurgency in the state. He was abducted by police from his home. His body was never found. The film also stars Arjun Rampal and Suvinder Vicky, amongst others.
Earlier titled Punjab 95, the film was stuck with the CBFC for many years with many reports stating that the censor board had asked for about 120 cuts in the movie with other changes including not taking names of states, cities and some people it is based on.
