‘Satluj’ Review: A Moving Indian Activist Drama Pulled From Circulation
A review in Variety examines "Satluj," an Indian activist drama directed by Honey Trehan starring Punjabi pop star Diljit Dosanjh, whose troubled release history mirrors the film's own themes of state suppression. The film was pulled from Toronto International Film Festival's lineup in 2023 without explanation under its former title "Punjab '95," and after finally clearing Indian censors this July, it was removed from streaming within days for both domestic and international audiences.
The film dramatises the true story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a bank manager turned activist who uncovered evidence of extrajudicial killings and mass disappearances by Punjab police in the 1990s, investigating after the murder of an elderly relative's husband. Dosanjh, fresh off a North American tour and a "Tonight Show" appearance, delivers what the reviewer calls a measured, almost saintly performance, with the film framing the true-crime narrative through a lens of Sikh spiritual duty rather than pure politics.
In short
- Indian film "Satluj" dramatises 1990s Punjab extrajudicial killings investigation
- Pulled from Toronto festival in 2023, then removed from streaming days after release
- Stars singer Diljit Dosanjh as real-life activist Jaswant Singh Khalra
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The film documents genuine historical tragedy—extrajudicial killings of Sikh activists by Punjab police in the 1990s—through Jaswant Singh Khalra's real story of activism and investigation. Removing art that addresses documented state violence without public explanation undermines democratic discourse and public understanding of historical injustices. The spiritually-grounded approach to this true crime narrative, as described in the review, represents thoughtful engagement with history rather than inflammatory agitation, and deserves public access and debate.
The case against
The 1990s Punjab conflict remains deeply sensitive for communities affected by both separatist violence and state overreach, and dramatising historical grievances about police killings risks inflaming communal tensions at a time when social stability requires careful judgment. Regulatory bodies and platforms have legitimate authority to weigh whether artistic works could destabilise public order or reopen historical wounds still affecting affected communities, and the removal of potentially divisive content reflects reasonable caution about the film's societal impact.
Explained simply
In 1990s Punjab, India experienced significant civil unrest and security operations that resulted in deaths and disappearances. Jaswant Singh Khalra, a bank manager, investigated these events and documented evidence of alleged extrajudicial killings by Punjab police, producing an important account of this contested period.
"Satluj" is an Indian drama that dramatises Khalra's story, starring Punjabi pop star Diljit Dosanjh and directed by Honey Trehan. The film frames his activism through Sikh spiritual values and duty rather than as a conventional political narrative.
The film has faced delays in reaching audiences over several years. It was withdrawn from an international film festival in 2023 and removed from streaming platforms after receiving regulatory approval in India in July this year.
Art Asia Celebrity Culture Entertainment Film World