Punjabi actress Neeru Bajwa has publicly voiced her outrage over the abrupt removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' from ZEE5, just two days after its release in India, calling for transparency and accountability from the platform. Bajwa, who has collaborated with Dosanjh on multiple films, took to social media on 8 July to demand that audiences be given a clear explanation for the takedown.

What Neeru Bajwa Said

In a series of posts on her Instagram Stories, Bajwa argued that the decision to pull the film denied viewers their fundamental right to form their own opinions. “A film is more than entertainment—it’s the voice of its creators, their passion, their truth, and years of hard work. No one should have the power to silence that without accountability,” she wrote.

She further stated: “Whether people choose to support a film or criticize it should be their decision. Taking away that choice from the audience is unfair. We deserve the right to watch it, think for ourselves, and decide what it means to us.” Bajwa concluded her post with a pointed message: “Transparency isn’t a privilege; it’s a responsibility.”

A Sense of Cultural Betrayal

In an earlier post on Tuesday, Bajwa had framed the removal as a blow to Punjabi cultural identity. “As a proud Punjabi, I feel deeply betrayed and disappointed that Satluj was taken off. Stories that reflect our culture and identity deserve to be seen, not silenced. This decision feels unjust and heartbreaking for our community,” she wrote.

The actress, best known for the 'Jatt & Juliet' franchise, emphasised that Punjabis have the right to question decisions that withhold their own stories from them. “We aren’t asking for special treatment—we’re asking for the truth, for fairness, and for the freedom to experience a film and form our own opinions. Our voices matter. Our stories matter. And the truth matters,” she added.

Background: 'Satluj' and Its Censorship Battle

The film 'Satluj', starring Diljit Dosanjh, had reportedly faced a prolonged battle against censorship before it was finally cleared for release on ZEE5 in India. The removal of the film just two days into its streaming run has reignited debate around content regulation and the rights of creators and audiences on OTT platforms.

Notably, neither ZEE5 nor the film’s producers have issued a public statement explaining the takedown, which critics argue compounds the sense of opacity surrounding the decision.

Wider Implications for OTT Content

The episode surfaces a broader tension in India’s streaming landscape: the absence of a clearly defined, publicly communicated process for removing content once it has already been made available. This is not the first time an OTT platform has pulled content without a detailed public rationale, but the involvement of a high-profile Punjabi artist in Diljit Dosanjh—one of the most globally recognised Indian musicians and actors—has amplified the scrutiny considerably.

With no official explanation yet forthcoming, the pressure on ZEE5 to respond is likely to mount in the coming days.