The streaming platform ZEE5 has removed the film "Satluj," starring Diljit Dosanjh, from its service in India.
The sudden removal of a high-profile production just days after its release suggests a tightening of content controls on digital platforms in India. This move highlights the tension between creative expression and government or corporate sensitivities regarding national narratives.
Originally titled "Punjab 95," the film was taken down just two days after its digital release [1]. The decision came abruptly, sparking reactions from various figures in the Indian film industry and political activists.
ZEE5 said the removal was based on "current developments." The platform said specific parts of the film could be misused to promote an anti-India narrative [2, 3].
The removal has drawn criticism from several quarters. RTI activist Saket Gokhale wrote to the government to express his protest against the decision to take down the movie [4]. Other members of the Bollywood community have also reacted to the platform's choice to pull the content.
While the film was intended for a wide digital audience, its availability was cut short by the platform's assessment of potential misuse. The company did not specify which "current developments" triggered the action, or which specific scenes were deemed problematic [2].
“The film "Satluj" was removed from the ZEE5 OTT platform in India.”
The removal of "Satluj" underscores the precarious nature of streaming content in India, where digital platforms often act as preemptive censors to avoid legal conflict or political backlash. By citing "current developments" without specific detail, ZEE5 demonstrates how vague security or national interest concerns can lead to the immediate erasure of artistic work from the public domain.
