Sutlej Controversy: Why the Film Was Renamed, Removed from ZEE5, and Why It Sparked a Debate

Did you know that the film you're calling Sutlej today was earlier titled Ghallughara and later Punjab 95? If not, let me tell you. The film was released on ZEE5 just three days ago, on July 3. But it was actually completed around 2022–23.

CBFC Refused to Certify the Film

Now you must be wondering, if the film was already completed years ago, then why was it released on OTT so late? The film was initially titled Ghallughara and was later changed to Punjab 95. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused to certify the film. The board asked the filmmakers to make more than 120 cuts before giving the certificate. They wanted the real name of Jaswant Singh Khalra to be removed from the film. Along with that, they also wanted all references to the Punjab Police, the Indian national flag, and Gurbani words to be removed.

The makers refused to make these cuts, because of which the film remained stuck in this situation for almost three years.

Film Name Changed To Sutlej

When the film couldn't make it to the big screen even after three years, the makers changed its title to Sutlej and released it directly on ZEE5 without making any cuts. This decision was also possible because OTT content does not require pre certification from the censor board like theatrical releases do. Because of this, the audience was finally able to watch the film in its original form.

The real controversy began on July 5. Within just 48 hours of its release, ZEE5 suddenly removed the film from streaming in India. Now, if we look at the reason behind this, reports suggest that the film was taken down following government directions. 

According to sources, certain portions of the film could be "misused by anti India elements," which could affect the current situation and public atmosphere in the country.

Since OTT platforms don't have the same strict pre certification process as theatrical releases, the government reportedly took action under the IT Rules, keeping the sensitive nature of the content in mind.

Suppressing Punjab's truth and history?

Meanwhile, opposition parties and several Punjab leaders also reacted to the decision. They criticised and condemned the move, accusing the government of trying to suppress Punjab's truth and history.

DiljIt wrote on X

Diljit Dosanjh also shared his thoughts on X, he said,

"Our main goal was always to make sure the film reached the people. Although the film has now been taken down, I had already expected that. But many people have already downloaded the film, and many have watched it as well. At one place, people even screened the film using a projector."

Diljit also wrote on X, "Khalra Sahib di awaaz nu koi ni daba sakda," which means, "No one can silence Khalra Sahib's voice."

ZEE5 also shared a post on X, saying,

Sutlej received immense love and support from the audience, and they are thankful to everyone for that. The platform said it believes meaningful stories inspire people and leave a lasting impact. 

However, due to the current circumstances, Sutlej will not be available for streaming in India until further notice. ZEE5 also assured viewers that it will follow all the necessary legal procedures and make every possible effort to bring the film back as soon as possible. 

The company further said that it will continue to support meaningful and honestly told stories.

At the same time, the platform appealed to viewers not to support piracy by watching or sharing the film through illegal means. It also said that it will always stand with stories made with honesty and purpose, as well as with their creators.

About Sutlej

The movie is directed by Honey Trehan, whereas it is produced by Ronnie Screwvala's production house RSVP, as well as MacGuffin Pictures. The movie features Diljit Dosanjh in the leading role of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. 

Besides him, Arjun Rampal appears as an honest and constitutional police investigator, Samudra Singh, while Geetika Vidya Ohlyan takes up the vital role of Jaswant Singh's brave wife, Paramjit Kaur. 

The other cast members include Suvinder Vicky as police officer Surjit Singh Sugga and Kanwaljit Singh as DGP Bitta in significant roles.

Sutlej, which is set in Amritsar, Punjab in 1995, narrates the story of Diljit Dosanjh's character, Jaswant Singh Khalra, a bank official who lives an uneventful life with his wife Pammi and their children. 

After the sudden disappearance of his old aunt, Bibi Gurpej Kaur, he becomes embroiled in an investigation where he independently investigates the matter after not getting any reply to the questions raised by him to government offices and the police stations. 

He comes to know the facts about the illegal arrests, killings in false encounters, and cremation of thousands of young men and civilians in crematoria after branding them as 'unclaimed' and 'unidentified' while going through the municipal files and checking the firewood used at crematoriums.

However, the film is still legally streaming and available on the ZEE5 Global platform for viewers residing outside India.