Ever since its silent release on OTT on July 3, followed by a global ban, ‘Satluj’, earlier titled ‘Panjab 95’, has been creating a huge buzz on social media. The film, headed by Diljit Dosanjhis a biopic on Jaswant Singh Khalra and has already been seen by a huge global audience. One person who hasn’t seen it yet though is the ‘Satluj’ actor Varun Badola. In a recent interview, Varun, who essays the role of lawyer Ravinder Jais in the film, said that he has no intention of watching a pirated version.
Varun Badola on OTT removal from Satluj
Just 48 hours after its release, ‘Satluj’ was pulled from ZEE5, though it had remained accessible internationally on the platform. However, the latest update indicates that the Honey Trehan The directory is no longer available for viewing abroad. Meanwhile, the Diljit-directed film was screened in Jammu for local communities, and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has announced plans to host more screenings in gurdwaras.
Varun Badola refuses to watch the pirated version
During a live session on Instagram, Diljit had urged fans to share copies of the film on social media. Amidst this, Varun Badola, speaking to News18, addressed Satluj’s removal from OTT and stated that he would never watch its pirated version. He mentioned that he has come across videos on Instagram and other platforms showing the film being screened in villages, but said he has certain principles when it comes to watching movies. He said: “We’re still fighting piracy. I understand that this situation is very different, but I still can’t defend piracy. I won’t watch the pirated version. It’s a rule I’ve always followed.”
Varun Badola recalls that he had no idea about the release of the film
Varun said he would wait and watch the film later. Recalling how he was clueless about Satluj’s release, the actor said his friends first told him about his look and character in the film, which left him confused as he initially assumed they were referring to a different project. It was only when they specifically mentioned the title ‘Satluj’ that he realized, until then, he didn’t even know that he had worked in a film with that name. He was with his family when the film came out on ZEE5, and he and his wife Rajeshwari had planned to watch it at the time, but he backed out before they could. He clarified: “It’s not that I didn’t watch it because they wanted to make it and release it in total secrecy. Every time Honey asked me to watch it, I never got around to it.”
Varun Badola calls ban ‘broad daylight robbery’
The actor reacted strongly to the film’s ban, calling the removal of ‘Satluj’ “robbery in broad daylight”. He noted that several films had faced bans in the past, saying, “Sometimes the powers that be think a course correction is important. Only they know why they decided to ban our film.” Varun also felt that officials should have watched ‘Satluj’ before deciding to ban it. Notably, a petition had been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the “illegal” public screenings of the film in Punjab, after which the Inter-Departmental Committee reviewed Diljit’s starrer and ruled that it should continue to be blocked from public access in the country.
Varun Badola’s ‘Satluj’ also stars Arjun Rampal
The film also stars Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya in pivotal roles. ‘Satluj’ was originally slated for a 2023 release, but was delayed due to a delay in CBFC certification.