The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has set up a three-member committee to review the circumstances behind the removal of the Punjabi film ‘Satluj’ from the OTT platform ZEE5, according to Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon.
Dhillon said the Centre acted on an appeal he submitted on Monday. The film, directed by Honey Trehan and based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Khalra, was taken off ZEE5 on Sunday evening — just two days after its release.
What the film ‘Satluj’ is about
The film shows the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Beant Singh is the grandfather of Union Minister Ravneet Bittu. The film also accuses the Punjab Police and the then Congress government of carrying out extra-judicial killings.
According to The Tribune, the BJP is facing criticism over the removal of the film. Social media posts have blamed Union Minister Ravneet Bittu for the takedown. Bittu has not responded to these allegations.
Why the review committee matters
Dhillon’s claim that the Centre has referred the matter to a review committee suggests the government is looking into whether the removal was justified. The committee will examine the sequence of events that led to the film being pulled from the streaming platform.
The development comes amid a political row over the film’s content and its sudden disappearance from ZEE5. The film’s subject matter — the assassination of a Congress leader and allegations against the state police — has made it a flashpoint in Punjab politics.
Our Take: A necessary step for transparency
In our view, the formation of a review committee is the right move. When a film is removed from a platform so soon after release, questions naturally arise about who made the decision and why. A formal review brings transparency to the process.
However, the fact that Union Minister Ravneet Bittu has not responded to the allegations against him is a concern. If the government wants to show that the review is fair and independent, it must address these questions openly. The committee’s findings will be crucial in determining whether the removal was based on valid concerns or external pressure.
For now, the film’s fate — and the trust in how content is regulated on OTT platforms — rests with this three-member panel.
Sources & References
- The Tribune — Centre has referred ‘Satluj’ issue to review committee, claims Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon
- The Tribune (AMP) — Centre has referred ‘Satluj’ issue to review committee, claims Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon
- Punjab News Express — On Kewal Singh Dhillon's Appeal, Centre Orders Review into Removal of Satluj from OTT