15 July,2026 07:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Diljit Dosanjh in Satluj. Pic via Instagram
As the controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj continues to intensify, the centre is reportedly planning to take stricter measures against the streaming of films on OTT. Additionally, the government could also take action against OTT platform Zee5 for streaming the film.
According to India Today, the Centre is planning on making Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approval mandatory for films released directly on OTT platforms. This comes amid the controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj.
According to the report, the government is considering the mandate after Satluj was streamed and screened without a CBFC certificate on Zee5 earlier this month. Sources told the portal that the screening of the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer without certification was legally impermissible, adding that it is the responsibility of the respective state governments to initiate criminal proceedings against the unauthorised public screenings of the film.
Additionally, the report adds that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), or the Centre, had the power to order the removal of an uncertified film from any streaming platform. As a result, the action was taken in the case of Satluj.
Government sources also stated that it was considering taking action against Zee5, claiming that the platform screened an uncertified version of the film. However, no official decision has been made public so far.
Meanwhile, the Centre is also reportedly examining whether certification should be made mandatory for all films that release directly on OTT platforms. If finalised, the proposal will require filmmakers to obtain a CBFC certificate before premiering their films on streaming platforms, just like in cinema halls. According to the report, the government is weighing in on amending the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules to introduce such a mandate.
Notably, the report comes a day after the Centre asked state governments to initiate legal action if Satluj is being screened without the required certification.
For the unversed, Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film, initially named Punjab 95, had been submitted to the CBFC for certification years ago, but never made it. Almost two years later, the film was released on Zee5 on July 3 as Satluj, without any cuts.
However, just two days later, it was removed from Zee5. Soon after the takedown, the film was leaked on social media platforms. The film has since been screened at community events organised at gurdwaras across several states. The organisers claim that it was an initiative to keep Khalra's story alive despite it being pulled down from OTT.
