Filmmaker Anurag Basu has publicly backed Honey Trehan, director of 'Satluj', after the film was pulled from OTT platforms, drawing a striking parallel between Trehan's situation and that of censored Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. The development has reignited debate around creative freedom and state-adjacent pressure on streaming content in India.

Basu's Post and the Panahi Comparison

On Monday, 7 July 2025, Basu took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his solidarity, writing: '#Satluj I never thought a day would come when Honey Trehan would face what Jafar Panahi faced in Iran.' The comparison is pointed: Panahi is a celebrated Iranian director who has endured years of state censorship, house arrest, a one-year prison sentence, and a two-year travel ban upheld by Tehran's Revolutionary Court. Invoking his name signals the gravity with which sections of India's film community view the takedown.

Why 'Satluj' Was Pulled

'Satluj' — earlier titled 'Punjab 95' — is based on the human rights violations allegedly carried out by the Punjab Police during its counter-insurgency operations in the state. The film centres on a character inspired by human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who documented unexplained disappearances of civilians and was allegedly tortured and killed by police to suppress his findings. Diljit Dosanjh plays the lead role.

The OTT platform removed the film from public viewing, citing its 'sensitive content' and 'current developments'. In an official statement published on its Instagram handle, the platform said it had decided to 'pause' the drama in India while affirming it 'firmly stands by the film'. The statement added: 'The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film.'

Industry Voices Speak Out

Actor Ranvir Shorey also weighed in, expressing dismay at the pulldown. He wrote: 'Utterly disappointing to hear Satluj had been pulled! Have been waiting to watch it! For a land that has an ancient history and heritage of learning from stories, I don't know why we keep emboldening a culture of burying them.'

Notably, Basu — whose most recent directorial credit is 'Metro In Dino' — is among the more prominent filmmakers to publicly link the episode to international precedents of state censorship, a framing that has amplified the controversy beyond a routine OTT dispute.

What the Film Depicts

'Satluj', helmed by Honey Trehan, presents what its makers describe as an unflinching account of one man's pursuit of truth against fear, power, and institutional silence. Set during a period of acute conflict and unrest in Punjab, the film exposes the alleged reality of thousands of unexplained disappearances and the human cost borne by families seeking justice. The subject matter has historically been contentious, and the film's earlier title change from 'Punjab 95' to 'Satluj' had itself drawn attention before its release.

What Happens Next

As of now, no official government order citing the takedown has been made public, and the OTT platform has not specified when or whether the film will be reinstated. The episode is likely to intensify calls within India's creative community for clearer, transparent frameworks governing content removal from streaming platforms. Whether Honey Trehan or the platform pursue legal or regulatory recourse remains to be seen.