Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has opened up about the turbulent production of 'Satluj', the biographical film on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, revealing in an Instagram Live session that the shoot was halted for weeks — and sometimes months — due to multiple obstacles, including resistance from within the production itself.

A Shoot Marred by Repeated Halts

Dosanjh described the filming process as deeply challenging. 'Even during the shooting of the film, we faced many difficulties at several points. Our film's shoot was halted for weeks and even months. In fact, some of our own people also created challenges during the production, though I don't want to go into details,' he said during the live interaction.

He reserved particular praise for the film's director, saying, 'I salute Honey Ji, who dedicated his entire life to this film.' The film is directed by Honey Trehan, known for his work in Indian cinema.

Why the Team Chose a Guerrilla Release

'Satluj' premiered on ZEE5 in India on Friday, June 4, only to be taken down from the platform by Sunday, June 5 — a removal the team had reportedly anticipated. Dosanjh revealed that the team deliberately chose not to promote the film, expecting it would be pulled down quickly once institutional attention turned to it.

'What I had feared actually happened. I thought the film would be taken down by Monday when the offices would be opened, but I had no idea that it would be banned on Sunday only. But I was sure that it would be banned. That's why we didn't promote the film. It was best to release the film (online) without any promotion,' he said.

The strategy was to maximise organic reach in the brief window before any takedown — a tactic that appears to have succeeded, with the film spreading widely across social media.

Dosanjh's Reaction to the Leak

Rather than expressing distress over the film's online leak, Dosanjh described feeling a sense of relief. 'Whenever I used to remember that the film had not been released, I used to feel bad. Now I feel relieved with the film's leak on social media. Now it is the people's film,' he said.

He also thanked viewers who had downloaded the film before it was removed and actively encouraged them to share links so others could access it. 'People have already downloaded the movie, so now I am tension-free. No one can stop the film now,' he added.

The Story Behind 'Satluj'

'Satluj' is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a prominent human rights activist who documented enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings in Punjab during the militancy era of the 1980s and 1990s. Khalra was himself abducted and killed in 1995, a case that drew significant national and international attention.

Dosanjh expressed satisfaction that the film was now reaching a wider audience. 'Today's youth is talking about Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film has reached every home,' he said, calling it the only viable path to release under the circumstances.

What Happens Next

The film's legal and distribution status remains unresolved, with no official explanation provided for its removal from ZEE5. Given the film's sensitive subject matter and its now-viral spread, the situation is likely to draw further scrutiny from both the entertainment industry and civil society. The team has not announced any alternative theatrical or streaming release plan as of now.