Veteran actor Kanwaljit Singh, who portrays DGP Bitta in the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer 'Satluj', has revealed that his performance drew personal appreciation from acting legends Naseeruddin Shah and filmmaker Shashi Ranjan. The film, previously titled 'Punjab 95', had a turbulent journey through censorship battles before finally arriving on a digital platform — only to be pulled down in India within two days of its release.

The Call That Surprised Him

Kanwaljit described being caught off guard when Shashi Ranjan reached out to commend his work. Shortly after, a call from Naseeruddin Shah followed. Naseeruddin Shah reportedly spoke to him in Punjabi — a language he is not known for — making the gesture all the more memorable. 'He started speaking in Punjabi, which he speaks rather poorly. I believe he is the ‘God of acting’ and hence anything coming from him has a lot of impact,' Kanwaljit said.

Years of Legal and Censorship Battles

The film's road to release was anything but smooth. Kanwaljit noted that the legal and censorship ordeal stretched across 2.5 to 3 years. He expressed admiration for director and producers Honey and Ronnie for holding firm under sustained pressure. 'I was shocked because it was like that for 2.5-3 years, the case went on and I really admire my director and the producer, Honey and Ronnie, that they stuck to their guns and they never succumbed to the pressure,' he said.

The 127 Cuts and the Canada Pullback

Among the more striking episodes in the film's history was a demand for 127 cuts, after which the makers were reportedly told the film could be sent to Canada for release. However, it was subsequently pulled back from the Canada Film Festival as well. 'When it was said that 127 cuts have been given and you can send it to Canada, all of a sudden it was pulled back from the Canada Film Festival as well. So, this has been happening with the film for a long time,' Kanwaljit recalled.

Disappointment Over the Digital Takedown

Kanwaljit voiced clear frustration over the film being removed from its OTT platform in India just two days after its premiere. He questioned the reasoning behind the reluctance to let audiences see the film. 'What are you afraid of? What backlash will there be? Time heals a lot of wounds, and after that all that is left to do is talk,' he said, suggesting that dialogue — not suppression — was the appropriate response.

What Comes Next

The fate of 'Satluj' on Indian streaming platforms remains uncertain following its abrupt removal. The film's censorship saga has reignited debate around creative freedom and institutional pressure on filmmakers dealing with politically sensitive subjects. Whether the film returns to Indian audiences in an uncut or revised form has not been officially confirmed.