A day after Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj was taken down from streaming platform ZEE5, it emerged that the Centre had asked the OTT platform to remove the film, citing security concerns and obligations under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The film was taken down just two days after its release on the OTT platform. According to a Hindustan Times report, the takedown order was issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, read with Part III of the IT Rules, 2021.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) also constituted a high-level inter-departmental committee yesterday to examine the film’s content.
Citing officials, the report said that the committee is empowered to examine complaints related to digital content and recommend further action to the government.
The Honey Trehan-directed film, earlier titled Punjab ’95, was released uncut on ZEE5 on July 3 (Friday) after remaining unreleased for more than three years. However, the film was removed from the platform by the evening of July 5 (Sunday).
In a statement posted on social media, ZEE5 said, “In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice.”
In a subsequent post, the platform added, “We are doing our bit to bring Satluj back. Please do yours — don’t support piracy. We remain committed to exploring every possible avenue to bring Satluj back to you.”
According to officials, the makers of the film had applied for a clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 under the original title Punjab ’95. However, they did not accept the 127 cuts suggested by the censor board, delaying its theatrical release.
“They kept sitting on the suggested cuts and eventually released the movie quietly on OTT with a new title. OTT does not come under the CBFC’s jurisdiction. When the matter came to the government’s notice, Zee was asked to take it (the film) down,” a government official was quoted as saying by PTI.
“The direction was given due to security concerns. The OTT platform was asked to follow the obligations under the intermediary guidelines. If they want to release the film in theatres and on OTT, they should follow the laid-down norms,” the official added.
The film is based on the life of Punjab human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed alleged extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances by the Punjab Police during the militancy era in the 1990s.
The makers of the film had also challenged the CBFC’s objections before the Bombay High Court in 2023 but later withdrew the petition. Eventually, the film was released directly on ZEE5 under the title Satluj, with only the title changed and none of the 127 cuts implemented.
While OTT platforms are not regulated by the CBFC, they are governed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Section 69A of the Information Technology Act empowers the government to block or remove online content on grounds including the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence, national security and the maintenance of public order.
Part III of the IT Rules extends this framework to publishers of online curated content and digital news, allowing the government to issue such directions to streaming platforms.
Officials also noted that the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules requires OTT platforms to avoid publishing content prohibited by law, classify content based on age suitability, and exercise due caution while publishing content that could affect India’s sovereignty and integrity, threaten state security, harm friendly relations with foreign countries, or incite violence or disturb public order.
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