The controversy around Diljit Dosanjh‘Satluj’ film has found a new voice from the critics, with Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) president BN Tiwari raising questions about the actor-singer’s choice of project. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Tiwari said actors should not take up films just for financial gain and should consider their larger responsibility and public image while selecting roles.
BN Tiwari on why content like ‘Satluj’ should be ‘carefully reviewed’
Asked specifically about the removal of ‘Satluj’ from the OTT platform ZEE5 in India, BN Tiwari told IANS, “Actually, if something creates problems in the society, that content should be carefully reviewed. Cinema is meant for entertainment and also carries information, but if the government intervenes repeatedly or if the censor board finds issues that are not suitable for public viewing.“
BN Tiwari talks about the censorship process
Tiwari went on to question the logic of a film being reconsidered after clearing India’s censor process, stating, “Even if the film has passed the censor, and later the Government of India believes that it might spread wrong information, disturb social harmony or be misused by harmful elements, then these films should have been stopped earlier. The censor board should have addressed all the concerns at the beginning.Once the clearance is given, the film should be released, because a lot of money has already been earned from a producer, there is no justification to stop the film after that.
BN Tiwari explains why Diljit Dosanjh chooses to do ‘controversial films’
The FWICE president then turned his attention directly to Diljit Dosanjh, expressing his surprise at the actor’s choice of project, noting, “I am very surprised why Diljit Dosanjh chooses to do controversial films. He must understand the impact of these decisions. He is a superstar of Punjab, and he should think carefully so that his image is not affected. Today he has a huge fan base all over the world.”Tiwari further elaborated on what he believes should guide an artiste’s choice of roles: “From what I understand, it is also an artiste’s duty not to do films just for money or for any other reason. You have to consider ‘the nation first’. I’m not saying he has no responsibility to the nation, he has a lot and he has a lot of talent. But he definitely needs to think about it before undertaking this kind of project.”
More on ‘Satluj’ and the controversy surrounding the Diljit Dosanjh starrer
Directed by Honey Trehan, ‘Satluj’ is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film premiered on ZEE5 in India on Friday under the title ‘Satluj’, after years of delays related to its censorship history, it was originally submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification under the title ‘Punjab 95’ in 2022 and was reportedly asked to make up to 127 cuts before release.To everyone’s surprise, the film was pulled from the platform in India just two days later on Sunday. In a statement shared on social media, ZEE5 said, “In light of current developments, ‘Satluj’ will not be available in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring all appropriate avenues through due process to bring the film to our audience at the earliest opportunity.” The streaming platform also thanked viewers for their overwhelming response, saying it stands firmly by the film and its creative vision.The sudden removal has since sparked a wider debate with Diljit Dosanjh himself addressing fans in an Instagram Live session to thank them for watching the film before its removal, and now with BN Tiwari of FWICE weighing in on whether artists should take on such politically sensitive projects.