06 July,2026 05:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
A still from Satluj. Pic via X
A day after Satluj was removed from Zee5, the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer has surfaced on social media platforms, with users circulating downloaded and pirated versions of the film. The leak comes after the movie's brief OTT run reignited conversations around censorship, piracy and access to films based on sensitive real-life events.
Soon after the film disappeared from Zee5, several users on X (formerly Twitter) began sharing download links and pirated copies of Satluj. The posts quickly gained traction, with many asking for alternative formats and shareable links in the comments section.
Lead actor Diljit Dosanjh also addressed the situation during an Instagram Live session. Responding to fans who said they had downloaded the film before it was taken down, Diljit expressed happiness that many had managed to save a copy.
He even encouraged those who had downloaded the film to share it with others so more people could watch Satluj until it returns to the streaming platform. The actor also urged viewers to watch the film with their families.
Diljit later shared another emotional post on Instagram, saying the film had "met the same fate" as human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, whose life inspired the movie.
Following the leak, Zee5 issued a statement on its official Instagram page, requesting viewers not to circulate or consume pirated versions of the film. The platform wrote, "We are hopeful and doing everything we can. Please do not support piracy. We remain committed to exploring every possible avenue to bring Satluj back to you."
Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj premiered on Zee5 on July 3 after spending years caught in a censorship battle. Previously titled Punjab 95, the film was released under a new name before being removed from the platform within two days.
The movie tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the alleged extrajudicial killings of Sikh youth by the Punjab Police during the 1990s. Khalra was abducted and murdered in 1995, with six Punjab Police officers later convicted in connection with the case.
The film had reportedly faced significant objections from the Central Board of Film Certification, which initially suggested over 100 cuts before its planned theatrical release.
While Zee5 says it is exploring ways to restore the film, there is no official word yet on when or if Satluj will return to the platform.
