Gul Panag backs Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj, says painful history shouldn't be erased

Actor Gul Panag has reacted to the removal of Satluj from ZEE5, saying India should not stop telling stories about difficult chapters of its history. Recalling her childhood in militancy-hit Punjab, she said those painful memories are precisely why such narratives must continue to be told.

In Short

• Panag recalled buses being stopped and innocent passengers being killed in Punjab
• She also remembered young men being detained and tortured despite no links
• RSVP challenged CBFC after 21 cuts and title change were ordered

Actor Gul Panag has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the removal of Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj from ZEE5. She said that stories based on painful periods of history must continue to be told instead of being erased. Reflecting on her own experiences of growing up in Punjab during the years of militancy, Panag said those memories only reinforce her belief that such narratives should remain part of public discourse.

Sharing her thoughts on X, Panag wrote, "I grew up in Punjab during the brutal years of militancy. I remember reading newspaper headlines about buses being stopped and innocent passengers being pulled out and killed. I also remember accounts of young men being picked up, detained and tortured, despite having nothing to do with the movement. Including from my village (sic)."

She said those experiences are exactly why she believes difficult moments from history should not be forgotten.

She added, "Those memories are precisely why I don't believe we should become so uncomfortable with difficult chapters of our history that we stop telling stories about them (sic)."

The film has remained at the centre of controversy since its certification process. Producer RSVP submitted it to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in late 2022. After nearly six months, the board reportedly cleared the film with 21 cuts and directed the makers to change its title from Ghallughara to Punjab '95.

The production house challenged the decision in the Bombay High Court. Around the same time, the film's scheduled gala premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival was also cancelled.

Following the court proceedings, the film was referred to the CBFC's revising committee, which reportedly increased the number of suggested cuts from 21 to 127. The makers also alleged that they were asked to change the name of the biographical drama's protagonist. After refusing to accept those changes, the film remained unreleased in India for years.

Satluj eventually premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 in its uncut version. However, the film was removed from the platform within 48 hours.

In a statement shared on Instagram, ZEE5 thanked viewers for their overwhelming response to Satluj. The platform said it was deeply grateful to everyone who subscribed to watch and support the film, adding that the love it received meant a great deal to both the streaming service and the team behind the project.

The platform also expressed hope that the film would return. "In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity (sic)," the statement added.

Satluj stars Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.

- Ends