Zee5 removed the film "Satluj," starring Diljit Dosanjh and directed by Honey Trehan, from its Indian streaming platform this week [1].
The removal highlights the significant influence of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over digital content and the volatility of streaming releases in India. The film, a human rights drama, faced immediate regulatory pushback despite its high-profile cast and director [3].
The film was taken down within 48 hours [4] of its release in early July 2026 [2]. This swift action followed major objections raised by the CBFC regarding the movie's content [5].
"Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice," a Zee5 spokesperson said [1].
The project had already faced significant hurdles before reaching the platform. The film's release was delayed by three years due to legal reasons [4]. Despite the eventual launch, the CBFC's intervention forced the platform to purge the title from its Indian catalogue [2].
Industry observers said that the film was pulled just days after its launch [3]. The CBFC raised major objections to the film’s content, leading Zee5 to pull it from its platform, India Today reported [2].
“"Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice,"”
The removal of 'Satluj' underscores the continuing tension between creative expression in human rights cinema and state-led censorship boards in India. By pulling the content so rapidly after its debut, Zee5 demonstrated that streaming platforms remain susceptible to CBFC pressure, even for content that has already bypassed traditional theatrical windows.
