The filmmaker Honey Trehan has disclosed that Diljit Dosanjh charged merely Re 1 for his role in the film Satluj. He noted that Dosanjh felt it would be inappropriate to accept payment for portraying human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Trehan expressed that Dosanjh was his first choice for the character and underscored that the project would not have materialised without his participation.

In an interview with The Print, Trehan recounted their initial meeting in 2021, during which they discussed the project for thirty minutes. He presented his research documents to Dosanjh, who was reportedly taken aback upon viewing Khalra’s photograph. This emotional connection was pivotal in Dosanjh’s decision to forgo a traditional salary for his performance.

Recollecting this meeting, Trehan mentioned that Dosanjh emphatically stated, “How can I charge to play someone like Khalra? It will be shameful.” When Trehan attempted to offer compensation, Dosanjh suggested that if necessary for contractual reasons, he would accept just Re 1. Trehan asserted that without Dosanjh, the film would simply not exist.

Challenges Faced by Satluj Following Release

Since its release, the film Satluj has encountered numerous obstacles. Just 48 hours after its debut, it was blocked in India, and subsequently removed from ZEE5’s global library. This removal prompted members of the public to file a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking the film’s restoration on the platform and a detailed explanation of the reasons behind its withdrawal.

The film, which premiered on July 3, 2026, initially garnered attention for its portrayal of Khalra’s struggles against alleged fake encounters and illegal mass cremations in Punjab during the era of militancy. While it was released without extensive promotional efforts, it quickly gained traction and praise from audiences, which may have contributed to its abrupt removal from streaming services.

Further setbacks included the film’s IMDb user rating being taken down and its scheduled screening at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival being cancelled due to objections reportedly raised by Indian authorities. Earlier, the filmmakers claimed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had requested as many as 127 cuts from the film prior to its release.

Diljit Dosanjh Advocates for the Film’s Importance

Despite the challenges faced, Dosanjh has emerged as a vocal supporter of the film. In a recent Instagram Live session, he anticipated that the film would be taken down by the following Monday. He urged viewers to share it with others who had not yet seen it, highlighting his commitment to the subject matter. He affirmed his steadfast connection to Punjab, stating he would remain committed to the region throughout his life.

Besides Diljit Dosanjh, the film features notable actors including Kanwaljeet Singh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan. The ongoing legal petition seeks to have Satluj restored on ZEE5, claiming it was removed without any transparent statutory, judicial, or governmental order, and demands clarity on the rationale for its takedown.

The film’s narrative is vital in highlighting significant events in Punjab’s history, making its accessibility crucial for those wanting to understand the local struggles and the efforts of activists like Jaswant Singh Khalra. As the situation evolves, future developments regarding the film’s availability and recognition remain uncertain.

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