Niren also stated that streaming platforms naturally want to attract subscribers via the movies they acquire. He stated that Zee5 earlier had plans to promote the movie, 'Satluj' during FIFA 2026.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleDiljit Dosanjh's movie, Satluj, has been in the limelight after it aired on Zee5 and in two days it was removed from the OTT platform. Well, now, writer Niren Bhatt recently addressed the controversy, stating that Satluj was deliberately removed from Zee5 as part of the streaming platform's marketing strategy. Niren also requested that fans avoid pirated versions and wait for the movie's official return.
Satluj writer Niren Bhatt sat down for an interview with NDTV and revealed that the makers had always envisioned Satluj with Diljit Dosanjh. He stated that every producer wants the film to recover the budget of the film they are making. The first wish was that the film be released in theatres. In his words:
"This (removing the film after two days on ZEE5) is not a marketing stunt. The first wish was that the film be released in theatres. We made the film for theatres and hoped that the film would travel well through word of mouth like Main Vaapas Aaunga. That wish couldn't come true. Then the film came on OTT."
Niren also stated that streaming platforms naturally want to attract subscribers via the movies they acquire. He stated that Zee5 had previously planned to promote the movie, Satluj, during the FIFA 2026 tournament. He opined that the removal of the movie was not at all a public stunt.
After Satluj was removed from Zee5, pirated versions of the movie reportedly floated on social media. It circulated on platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and torrent platforms. Bhatt had urged netizens not to watch illegal versions of Satluj and revealed that, from any legal or other perspective, no one will find anything offensive about the film. In his words:
"It should get restored soon. It will start streaming again... The streaming should not have stopped in the first place. It's spreading through word of mouth. People are sharing widely on social media and are having an emotional reaction to the film."
Niren Bhatt had also expressed optimism that the issue related to Satluj will be resolved soon. He urged netizens to wait for the official release of the movie and stated that, since people abroad are already watching the film on ZEE5, viewers here will naturally be curious about it. Fear of missing out is driving the word of mouth for the film. In his words:
"And, that's why people take to other (illegal) platforms to watch the film. I personally feel the film will soon get clearance and it will start streaming again. So I request people to wait and watch the film officially."
For those who do not know, Satluj has been directed by Honey Trehan and is inspired by the life of human rights activist, Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film has Diljit Dosanjh in the main role and showcases the disappearance and also the illegal cremation of thousands of bodies that were unidentified.
The incident dates back to Punjab's militancy era back in the 1980s and 1990s. The movie has faced numerous certification issues since 2022. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reportedly suggested 21 cuts in the movie, and the makers had to change the title from Ghallughara to Punjab '95.
The producers had then challenged the decision in the Bombay High Court. The movie was then sent to the CBFC's revising committee, which reportedly recommended 127 cuts and also told them to change the movie's title to the name of its protagonist, Jaswant Singh Khalra. Well, the makers of the movie reportedly declined to accept the changes, and the movie was left unreleased in India for, like, many years.
What are your views on Niren Bhatt confirming that Satluj was not removed as part of a marketing strategy?
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