3 min readMumbaiJul 4, 2026 01:32 AM IST
After waiting for over three years to get the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate and nod for its theatrical release, the makers of Satluj — previously titled ‘Punjab 95’ — have finally released it on Hindi Zee 5. The film, written and directed by Honey Trehan, is inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, essayed by singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, and his relentless fight for truth.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Trehan said even though he was “a little disappointed” that the film could not be released in theatres, he is relieved that “people can now watch the film exactly how it was made”. “That’s deeply satisfying for me. Apart from the title change, there have been no cuts or compromises,” he said. The film’s release hung in balance for a long time after the CBFC demanded about 127 cuts, but the makers, especially Dosanjh and Trehan, refused to comply.
Set in Punjab of the early 90s, the film delves into a landscape scarred by militancy, political violence and fear. As thousands of people vanished without explanation and justice remained elusive, Jaswant Singh, a bank employee in Amritsar, chose to fight against the system and look for the missing persons. The film’s cast includes Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan. It is produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Abhishek Chaubey, and Trehan.
Trehan said, “There had been complete radio silence (from CBFC) for the last three-and-a-half years over its certification. For a film like this to finally be released says a lot about the team’s spirit. I’m very grateful to Zee5, especially to my producer, Ronnie Screwvala, for the way they stood by the film. Diljit Dosanjh too has gone all out to support it.” Hindi Zee5 announced the film’s released on Friday evening.
Though the film was released without a single cut, Trehan says they “could not retain its original title for various reasons”. However, he maintains that they were okay with ‘Satluj’ as the film’s title since it was one of their original options. “Even when we chose Punjab 95, Satluj was on our list,” he says.
Dosanjh in a press statement said: “Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra ji’s martyrdom and his contribution to humanity were the primary reasons I chose to be a part of this film. When I first heard the script, it moved me deeply, as it is rooted in the lived experiences, struggles, and sacrifices of real people. As an artist, opportunities to be part of such meaningful stories are rare. From the moment I heard the script, I felt a strong sense of responsibility towards the film and was committed to portraying such an inspiring character with truth, honesty, and utmost respect.”
Though Trehan is “happy and excited” over the film’s release, he is nervous, too. “I don’t know how people are going to react. I just hope the film resonates with people and that they accept it for what I wanted to communicate,” he says.
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