After being removed from OTT, now Diljit Dosanjh’s film ‘Sutlej’ will be shown in Gurudwaras.

Read Desk. After being removed from ZEE5 within 48 hours of its release, Sikh religious organizations in many states have now started community screening of ‘Sutlej’, so that the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra continues to reach the audience. Apart from Punjab, the five states where preparations are being made include Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Jammu.

According to a report, sources in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said that Gurdwara committees across the country have come together to organize the screening of the film directed by Honey Trehan.

In Jammu, ‘Sutlej’ (earlier titled ‘Punjab ’95’) is scheduled to be screened in four gurudwaras between July 10 and July 13. Meanwhile, a poster circulating online has invited people to attend the screening on July 11 at Baba Fateh Singh Auditorium at Chandi Ki Taksal Gurudwara in Jaipur.

In Delhi, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harmeet Singh Kalka reiterated his demand to bring back the film on ZEE5 and also supported the initiative of community screening.

Explaining the decision behind the screening, an SGPC source told the publication, “The community does not want this story to disappear just because the film is not available online. If people cannot watch it on OTT, gurudwaras are opening their doors. Jaswant Singh Khalra’s story deserves to be seen.”

This biopic drama based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra was released on ZEE5 on July 3, but was removed after two days. The central government is said to have directed the platform to remove it citing security concerns under Information Technology (IT) rules.

‘Sutlej’, which was completed about four years ago, had to fight for certification for a long time before its release. The film was initially submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) under the title ‘Ghallughara’ and was reportedly approved with 21 cuts, with instructions to change the title to ‘Punjab ’95’.

After legal proceedings, the film was sent to the revising committee of the CBFC. The committee suggested 127 cuts to the film and some changes, including changing the name of the lead character Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film’s producers refused to accept these changes, leading to a delay of several years in the film’s release in India.

Eventually, the uncut version of the film was released on ZEE5 on July 3, but it was removed within 48 hours. The film’s removal was criticized by SGPC and many political parties in Punjab, while Diljit Dosanjh later said that it was inevitable.

Directed by Honey Trehan, the film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Olyan in lead roles.

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