actor Diljit Dosanjh Satluj instantly agreed after reading the first draft of the script, director Honey Trehan has revealed In a recent interview, Trehan said that Dosanjh, who plays human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra in the film, stood by the project and its story from the beginning. The comment has resurfaced now that Satluj has been pulled from ZEE5 within 48 hours of its surprise launch.
Honey Trehan recalls Diljit Dosanjh’s instant reaction to the script
In a conversation with Mid Day, Trehan explained how Dosanjh responded strongly to the subject even before he was formally approached for the film. Speaking to Midday, the director said:“Even before I told him that I wanted to make a film on Jaswant Singh Khalra, he immediately said, ‘There is only one Punjabi story worth making if it is not 1984.’ I showed him my research book. He looked at Mr. Khalra’s photograph, took the book, placed it on his forehead and simply said, “Waheguru ji… tell me when and where I will come.” You’ll find me there.”
Diljit Dosanjh remained patient during the tough shooting days
Trehan also discussed Dosanjh’s behavior on set, especially during days marked by delays and scheduling issues. He said at noon:“There were days when he reported at six in the morning and I couldn’t do his first shot until four in the evening because the timings had gone wrong. I kept apologizing. Every time he said, ‘Paaji, no problem. Whatever you’re doing, you’re doing it for the film. I’m here to support the film’.”Dosanjh has continued to be vocal about the film, its real-life subject, and what the story represents, even as controversy has developed surrounding its release.
Why was Satluj removed from OTT?
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement to news agency ANI that Satluj does not adhere to the IT Rules, 2021 and was therefore asked to remove it from ZEE5. Notably, a film or program does not require a censor board certificate for release on an OTT platform in India; however, the ministry expects self-regulation and compliance with the regulations set out in the IT Rules, 2021.The film also stars Arjun RampalKanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in key roles, and had a three-year journey before finally hitting the platform.
More about “Satluj”
‘Satluj’ was earlier titled ‘Panjab ’95’ and follows the real-life story of Jaswant Singh Khalra. The narrative is set during the 1980s and 1990s, a turbulent period in Punjab’s history marked by violent militancy, calls for a separate state (Khalistan) and state counterinsurgency operations. Khalra pioneered an independent investigation that uncovered the illegal abduction and secret cremation of thousands of “unidentified” youths by local police, carried out without informing their families. In 1995, shortly after bringing his documented evidence to the international stage, Khalra himself was kidnapped and killed.