Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his admiration for Diljit Dosanjh’s biographical drama ‘Satluj’ after watching the film before it was taken down from the OTT platform in India.Deeply moved by the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, Harbhajan shared a heartfelt note on social media.
Harbhajan Singh speaks about justice and courage
Taking to X, Harbhajan posted a detailed message after watching the film. He wrote, “Jallianwala Bagh stands as one of history’s greatest massacres. It was carried out by a colonial regime. But the question that haunts me after watching Jaswant Singh Khalra is different: What is more painful than oppression by an outsider? When those entrusted to protect their own people are accused of becoming the source of their greatest fear.“He further wrote, “A police officer’s duty is to protect innocent lives—not to abuse power. Khalra’s courage exposed evidence of alleged illegal disappearances and secret cremations, reminding us that the abuse of state power can leave wounds that last for generations. Punjab’s mothers are still waiting for answers. Many families are still waiting for justice. Truth cannot remain buried forever.”He concluded, “Outstanding work by @HoneyTrehan and @diljitdosanjh for bringing the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra to the world. His courage deserves to be remembered.”
‘Satluj’ removed from OTT In India
Harbhajan’s post comes days after Satluj, previously titled Punjab ’95, was withdrawn from OTT in India. The biographical drama began streaming on July 3, but the platform later confirmed that it had been removed from its Indian catalogue.Following the film’s removal, ZEE5 released an official statement acknowledging the audience’s response.It stated, “The response to Satluj since its release has been truly overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to every viewer who chose to subscribe, watch and champion the film. Your love and support have meant a great deal to us and to everyone who brought this story to life.”The platform further added, “At ZEE5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives.”The streamer also confirmed, “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. Our commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering.”Directed by Honey Trehan, ‘Satluj’ is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, the human rights activist known for documenting alleged illegal disappearances and secret cremations in Punjab. The film features Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role alongside Kanwaljeet Singh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan.