Diljit Dosanjh Film Sutlej Removed from OTT Platform, director said- the release is bigger challenge then making

Diljit Dosanjh’s film Sutlej, based on rights activist, has been surrounded by controversies. Due to censor controversy, it was released on OTT platform Zee5 on July 2, however, just 3 days after its release, it was suddenly removed from the OTT platform. Meanwhile, the film’s director Honey Trehan talked to Dainik Bhaskar about the film and the controversy. He says that as soon as Diljit heard the story, he agreed to do the film in just 45 seconds.

Read Dainik Bhaskar’s exclusive conversation with ‘Sutlej’ director Honey Trehan-

‘Making the film was not difficult, but its release became the biggest struggle’- Honey Trehan

The film Sutlej was initially titled Punjab 95, however the Censor Board objected to this name. The film was already made in 2023, but the censor board did not pass it despite suggesting several cuts. On this, director Honey Trehan said, ‘For me, making ‘Sutlej’ (earlier Punjab 95) was not a big challenge. The real struggle began when it came to taking it to the audience. From shooting to post-production, there was never a time when I felt that anyone was stopping me from making this story. We completed the entire process as per the rules. Wherever shooting took place, there was full cooperation from the local administration. But after the completion of the film, we could not get the certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification for theatrical release and this wait gradually became the biggest struggle.

Honey Trehan with Diljit Dosanjh.

‘This film kept waiting for release for almost three and a half years. In such a long time, many times people have asked me what the problem is. To be honest, even today I don’t have a definite answer to that. I never see it as a personal or ideological opposition. I always felt that maybe he had some processes or compulsions of his own. But as a filmmaker, I definitely felt that when a story remains away from the audience for so long, then everyone associated with it is tested.

‘Diljit Dosanjh agreed to meet within 45 seconds – Honey Trehan

On casting Diljit in the film, Honey says, ‘It was the Covid era. I just sent a short message to Diljit Dosanjh whether he was in India or America. It turned out that he had a flight to California that same night. I thought that perhaps we would not be able to meet, but within a few seconds he replied that if time permits, we will definitely meet. In the evening he went straight to me while going to the airport. He had very little time, but he listened to the whole thing without any hurry. In that meeting, I saw more of a sensitive person than a big star, who wanted to understand the story.

‘First of all I made it clear that this film is not based on the events of 1984. I told him that the world often remembers Punjab only in the context of that one incident, whereas even after that a lot happened there, about which very little was talked about and cinema almost kept silence.

‘I wanted them to understand that this film is not part of any political debate. This is the story of those people who paid the price of truth and justice with their lives. It was from here that I started talking in detail about the life of Jaswant Singh Khalda and his struggle.

The film Sutlej was initially titled Punjab 95.

‘I can never forget Diljit’s first reaction’- Honey

Honey Trehan further said, ‘I had a research file, on the cover of which was Jaswant Singh Khalda’s photograph. As soon as Diljit saw that picture, he picked up the file, placed it on his forehead, folded his hands and bowed and remained completely silent for a few moments.

‘After that he looked at me and just said – “Father, when do you want to come? Where do you want to come?” That one sentence convinced me that he accepted this film not just as an acting project, but as a responsibility. As a director, one cannot possibly get greater trust than this from an artist.

‘Diljit never talked about money for this character’

Honey has told that Diljit’s focus was not on fees but only on the film, he said, ‘Today, the first conversation about films often starts with fees, dates and contracts. But nothing like this happened in this film. Our entire discussion focused only on the story, character and its purpose. Diljit did not even once ask how much remuneration he would get or what the commercial aspects of the film would be.

‘He just wanted to know why we were telling this story and with what sincerity we wanted to bring it on screen. For me, this is the biggest quality of an artist. When an actor puts the story above his financial interests, the director’s confidence also increases manifold.

‘The purpose of Sutlej is not to debate but to start dialogue’- Honey

Honey further says, ‘I always believe that the job of cinema is not just to entertain. Many times he also asks such questions to the society on which there has been silence for a long time. ‘Sutlej’ is also a similar film for me. Its objective is not to stand in support of any party or ideology, but to start a dialogue on justice, human rights and human sensitivity.

‘My biggest wish is that the audience should watch this film with an open mind. If after the completion of the film, people think afresh about that period of Punjab, the struggle of Jaswant Singh Khalda and the importance of justice, then I will feel that our hard work has been successful. For me, the biggest achievement of any film is not the awards or earnings, but the question created within the audience, which forces them to think long after the theater or screen is closed.

‘Received support at every level during shooting in Punjab’- Honey

‘Many people think that we would have faced opposition while shooting such a sensitive story, but my experience was exactly the opposite. We shot at real locations in Punjab. Worked at police stations, government buildings and many public places. Necessary permissions were taken every day and the administration provided full cooperation.

‘It never felt like anyone wanted to stop our story before it could be heard. For this reason, when the certification process later became longer, it was even more surprising for me. Because in the environment in which the film was made, we never had to face any uncomfortable situation.

‘This is not a film that will heal Punjab’s wounds, it will heal them.’

‘From the beginning it was my endeavor that this film should not become a medium to reopen any old wound. I wanted people to see it as a human story. When people in Punjab saw the film, their reaction further strengthened my confidence.

‘Many people said that for the first time someone has tried to show this period not in a sensational manner, but with sensitivity. This is the biggest achievement for me. If a film gives people an opportunity to think calmly about their history, then it has served its purpose.

Know why there is controversy over the film-

Based on the human rights activist, to be produced in 2022: Announced to make a film in the name of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalda in 2022. The initial name of the film was ‘Ghallughara’, which means ‘massacre’. The shooting of the film was completed in various parts of Punjab, especially Amritsar. Actor Diljit Dosanjh changed his look and physical appearance to play the role of Jaswant Singh Khalda.

Censor Board changed the name: The film will be ready in the year 2023. After this, it was sent to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for approval, when the board objected to the title of the film and suggested several changes and cuts. After this the name of the film was changed to ‘Punjab 95’.

Also asked to make 127 cuts: According to media reports, CBFC suggested 127 cuts and many changes in the film. These also included demands for changes in some historical references, places and names of characters. However, CBFC did not publicly release detailed official details of all these proposed changes. The film could not be released in Indian theaters due to lack of approval from the Censor Board in India.

Could not release overseas: After this, it was released in select countries on 7 February 2025. After this, in the year 2023, the world premiere of the film took place at the Toronto International Film Festival, where its story and Diljit Dosanjh’s acting were appreciated internationally.

Got permission to release only on OTT: After this, it got permission to release it on OTT platform. No cuts were made in it. This film was widely watched in Punjab within 2 days. After which the film was suddenly removed from the OTT platform. The only thing that was said about this was that the film has been removed till further orders.

Now read, what Diljit Dosanjh said on the removal of the film-

There is humanity, which has died: On the removal of the film, Diljit said that I look at people’s faces. There is humanity, but that humanity is dead. Wonderful. The movie got removed from the internet, so I’m not sad. The film reached the people. Now she is not going anywhere. There is love, coincidence and humanity, but the attitude of the people is amazing. Just a little sad about this.

I knew this was going to happen: Diljit said- I already knew that this was going to happen. I thought that if the film ran for even two-three days, our work would be done. Once something comes on the Internet, it is not easy to remove it completely. Their advisors are not good.

Project came, which got banned, will go on Europe tour: When a fan asked Diljit about his upcoming project, he replied – There was a project, which has now been banned. After this we will now go on Europe tour. The first show will be in Berlin.

Many celebs expressed their displeasure over the removal of the film-

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