Honey Trehan Speaks for the First Time After the Ban on His Film: 'The Flow of the Satluj Cannot be Stopped' Honey Trehan, director of the film Satluj, has spoken publicly for the first time since the movie was officially banned by an inter-departmental committee. The film, which documents the abduction and killing of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was initially cleared by legal experts and producers but faced intense scrutiny from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Trehan described the process as a four-year battle, culminating in the film being denied a certificate and effectively banned. Despite the ban, the film has been screened in Punjab’s villages and has sparked widespread public interest, with pirated copies circulating widely. Trehan expressed surprise at the film’s reception, calling it a “movement” that transcended its original intent. The inter-departmental committee, comprising officials from the ministries of home, law, defense, and women and child development, cited national interest and sovereignty as reasons for the ban. They claimed the film “goes against the national interest” and “threatens India’s sovereignty.” Trehan dismissed these claims, arguing that the film was legally cleared by private law firms and that the CBFC’s repeated demands for cuts were politically motivated. He emphasized that the film’s message about Punjab’s history and the role of the state in human rights violations was central to its purpose. Trehan detailed the legal battle, including a high-profile case at the Bombay High Court. A judge initially refused to grant the CBFC’s request to delay the hearing, signaling support for the film.#central_board_of_film_certification #honey_trehan #jaswant_singh_khalra #ronnie_screwvala #prasoon_joshi
Diljit Dosanjh Film 'Satluj' Streams Uncut on ZEE5 Global Diljit Dosanjh’s film Satluj, a drama directed by Honey Trehan and inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, began streaming globally on ZEE5 Global on July 3. The film, which had faced censorship challenges from India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) three years prior, was released in its uncut form, marking a significant milestone for the production. Produced by RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures, Satluj stars Diljit Dosanjh alongside Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan. The film chronicles Khalra’s decades-long struggle to seek justice for over 25,000 people who disappeared during Punjab’s insurgency-era crackdowns. It highlights the personal toll of his activism against a system intent on suppressing the truth. The film initially faced hurdles when the CBFC mandated 21 cuts and a title change from its original name, Ghallughara, a historical term for Sikh massacres in 1746, 1762, and 1984. RSVP, the production company, appealed the decision in the Bombay High Court, but the film was also withdrawn from its planned gala premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Sources indicated political factors influenced this withdrawal. Trehan emphasized the importance of the film’s original title and uncut release, stating, “This is the complete film, without any cuts or compromises, in its original form as we always intended.” He credited Diljit Dosanjh and the producers for their commitment to the film’s integrity. ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. highlighted the film’s significance for South Asian audiences in North America, noting that cinema remains a vital medium for connecting with the subcontinent’s history and voices.#diljit_dosanjh #honey_trehan #jaswant_singh_khalra #zee5_global #rsvp
