Honey Trehan Says CBFC Never Communicated Objections to 'Satluj', Doesn't Know Who Did
Trehan says CBFC never communicated objections over Satluj.
Director Honey Trehan has said he remains uncertain about who objected to his film Satluj, stating that he never received any direct communication from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) identifying the individuals or authorities responsible for the delays and obstacles the film faced before its release. Trehan made the remarks while reflecting on the long journey of the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer, which was released on the streaming platform Zee5 after years of delays but was subsequently removed within two days.
The film, previously titled Panjab 95, premiered on Zee5 on Friday after a prolonged three-year struggle involving certification issues. However, by Sunday, the film had been taken down from the platform. In a statement, Zee5 attributed the decision to unspecified "developments" but did not provide further details. The sudden removal sparked fresh discussion over the film's troubled release and the challenges it encountered before reaching audiences.
Speaking in an interview conducted before the film was withdrawn, Trehan said he still does not know who opposed the project or why it faced repeated hurdles. "I don't have a name," the filmmaker said, adding that there had been "no communication" from the CBFC explaining who had a problem with the film. He suggested that despite years of uncertainty, no clear reasons were officially conveyed to him regarding the objections that delayed its release.
Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh Says 'Satluj' Faced Same Fate as Khalra Himself
Satluj, earlier known as Panjab 95, is based on the life and work of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the alleged disappearance and extrajudicial killings of thousands of people in Punjab during the militancy era. The film has attracted attention since its announcement because of its sensitive subject matter and the prolonged certification process it underwent before eventually securing a release on an OTT platform.
The film's removal shortly after its digital premiere has reignited debate over censorship, creative freedom and transparency in the certification process. While Zee5 has only referred to unspecified "developments" as the reason for taking the film offline, neither the streaming platform nor the CBFC has publicly elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the decision.
Despite the setbacks, Trehan has maintained that his focus has been on bringing the story to audiences rather than engaging in speculation over who opposed the film. The director's comments underscore the uncertainty that surrounded Satluj throughout its release journey, with questions remaining over both the prolonged certification process and the reasons behind its abrupt removal from the streaming platform.
Also Read: 'Satluj' Review: Honey Trehan And Diljit Dosanjh Explore Punjab's Turbulent History
