Three years after clash with Indian censorship board ‘Satluj’ Dear TrehanThe drama, which follows the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, finally premiered unedited on the global OTT platform on July 3.
‘Satluj’ cast, plot and trailer
The official trailer of ‘Satluj’ (previously known as ‘Punjab ’95’) introduces a gripping and deeply emotional biographical drama directed by Honey Trehan. Movie stars inspired by true events Diljit Dosanjh As legendary human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra Arjun Rampal and Surwinder Vicky. Set against the dark backdrop of insurgency-era Punjab, the trailer previews an ordinary man’s relentless search for the truth as he risks his life to uncover the haunting reality of more than 25,000 mysterious disappearances. With a strong and somber tone, it highlights a righteous fight against systemic corruption and the silencing of voices.
Satluj’s journey to review and certification
The film, which is now streaming on ZEE5 Global, went through three different titles before finally reaching audiences. It was originally “Ghallughara”, a term rooted in history, referring to the Sikh pogroms of 1746, 1762 and 1984. In late 2022, RSVP submitted the film to India’s Central Board of Film Certification for certification. Six months later, the board approved it, but only 21 cuts were made, and the title was changed to “Punjab ’95.” The RSVP took the matter to the Bombay High Court challenging the decision. Around the same time, the film’s chance to premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival fell through and was pulled from the lineup.
Director explains why the film is now called ‘Satluj’
According to Variety India, Trehan said: “We were unable to get the previous title of the film. The title now is “Satluj”. It’s a complete film without any cuts or compromises, keeping the original form we always wanted. This would not have been possible without Diljit paji and our producers and their willingness to uphold integrity. As Diljit Paji and I have said before, we will not endorse a compromised version of the film.“
Diljit Dosanjh on playing Khalra in ‘Satluj’
Dosanjh, who plays Khalra, shared, “Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra ji’s martyrdom and his contribution to humanity were the main reasons why I chose to be a part of this film. I feel a strong sense of responsibility for this film and am committed to portraying such an inspiring character with authenticity, honesty and the utmost respect. “
Previous works of the “Satluj” team
Trehan is also known for the 2020 thriller Raat Akeli Hai and its 2025 sequel Raat Akeli Hai: Bansal Murder. Suvinder Vicky has appeared in the TV series “Kohrra”, “The 4th Direction” in Cannes and “Milestone” in Venice.
