Indian Government Ordered ZEE5 to Remove Film Due to Security Concerns

India's central government directed streaming platform ZEE5 to remove the film "Satluj", starring Diljit Dosanjh, citing security concerns and obligations under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021.

The film was removed from ZEE5 just two days after its release on July 3. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also formed a high-level committee to examine the film's content.

"Satluj", previously titled "Punjab '95", is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed alleged extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances by the Punjab Police in the 1990s. The film had been delayed for over three years as its makers did not accept 127 cuts suggested by the censor board.

Instead, the film was released directly on ZEE5 with a changed title and none of the suggested cuts implemented. While OTT platforms are not directly regulated by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), they fall under the IT Rules, 2021. The government can order content removal based on grounds related to national security, integrity, or public order.