Overview
- Satluj premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 and was removed within 48 hours after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry told the platform to take it down.
- Officials say the film never completed Central Board of Film Certification review after the board reportedly sought about 127 cuts and no certificate was issued.
- A Centre-appointed review reportedly judged the film could be exploited to threaten sovereignty and public order, and officials are weighing legal action against ZEE5 and organisers of public screenings.
- A public interest petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks restoration of the film on ZEE5 and disclosure of takedown reasons while community groups have held screenings at gurdwaras across several states.
- The episode has prompted active, developing proposals to amend IT Rules so films debuting on OTT services would need pre-release CBFC certification, a change that would reshape how digital films are regulated and enforced.