PIL Filed in High Court Over Sudden Removal of Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj’ From ZEE5
The legal battle surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s latest biographical drama, Satluj (previously titled Punjab ’95), has escalated significantly. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the streaming platform ZEE5’s abrupt decision to pull the film just days after its digital premiere.
The petition, moved by advocate Sharwan Singh under Article 226 of the Constitution, seeks the immediate restoration of the movie across India. It names the Union Government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Punjab Government, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, and ZEE5 as respondents.
The Core Arguments of the Petition:
The PIL argues that pulling down a certified film without any official judicial, legal, or government directive directly infringes upon the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. The petition criticizes ZEE5’s stance of citing “current circumstances” as a reason for the takedown, calling the explanation legally vague and entirely lacking in substance.
It highlights the grievance of paid OTT subscribers who have been denied access to advertised content without transparency or a formal explanation. The plea asserts that Satluj is based entirely on the life and human rights advocacy of Jaswant Singh Khalra. Because these historical events have already been thoroughly vetted by the Supreme Court, the CBI, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the content remains a matter of public record and contains no classified information.
A Timeline of the ‘Satluj’ Stand-Off:
Prolonged Censor Battle
Pre-July 2026
The film faces immense scrutiny, multiple cuts, and a title change from Punjab ’95 to Satluj following objections from the CBFC and various organizations.
Digital Premiere on ZEE5
July 3, 2026
After clearing all legal and regulatory hurdles, the movie officially releases for streaming in India.
Abrupt Takedown
July 5, 2026
Just 48 hours after its highly anticipated launch, ZEE5 completely pulls the film from its platform without public warning.
High Court PIL Lodged
July 9/10, 2026
A legal petition is moved in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to force the immediate restoration of the film.
The matter is expected to be listed for an urgent hearing before the High Court bench in the coming days. The court’s response will be closely watched, as it could set a major precedent regarding censorship, corporate self-regulation, and streaming platform accountability in India.
