Streaming platform Zee5 removed Diljit Dosanjh's film "Satluj" from its Indian service on July 5 [1].
The sudden disappearance of the film follows a period of high anticipation and multiple years of delays before its eventual release [2]. The move disrupts the viewing experience for a significant audience during the film's opening weekend.
"Satluj" debuted on the platform on July 3 [3]. The film remained available for only two days before it was pulled from the service [4]. This rapid turnaround has led to complaints from viewers who reported the film stopped midway during playback [1].
A Zee5 spokesperson said, "The film will be unavailable in India" [5]. While the platform has not provided a singular, detailed explanation for the removal, some reports indicate the action was taken amid certification challenges [6]. Other reports suggest the platform is currently exploring avenues to restore the movie to the service [1].
In an official Instagram statement, Zee5 addressed the situation by noting the reception of the project. "The Response To Satluj Since Its Release Has Been Truly Overwhelming. We Are Deeply Grateful To Every Viewer Who Chose To Sub..." the platform said [7].
The removal comes as a blow to the film's momentum, as the digital release was intended to bring the long-delayed project to a wide domestic audience. The discrepancy between the platform's vague statement and reports of certification issues suggests a legal or regulatory hurdle that must be cleared before the film can return to the library [6].
“The film will be unavailable in India.”
The removal of 'Satluj' highlights the precarious nature of OTT releases in India, where certification disputes can lead to immediate content takedowns regardless of a star's popularity. The conflict between the platform's general statement and reports of certification issues suggests a regulatory gap that could delay the film's return indefinitely.
