The controversy surrounding the Diljit Dosanjh starrer film 'Sutlej' has intensified significantly. Supreme Court lawyer Vineet Jindal has claimed that after filing a complaint against the film, he and his family have been receiving death threats. According to Jindal, he is being intimidated through WhatsApp messages and phone calls, with callers warning that he will meet the same fate as former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Following these alarming threats, the lawyer has submitted a formal complaint to the Delhi Police along with evidence and requested security for his family members.
Demands for Legal Action
Prior to these threats, Vineet Jindal had demanded that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs register an FIR against the film 'Sutlej', Diljit Dosanjh, and the streaming platform ZEE5. He alleges that the film promotes separatist ideologies by presenting the era of militancy in Punjab in a one-sided manner. His accusations have sparked a heated legal debate regarding the film's content and its societal impact.
Public Interest Litigation in High Court
Meanwhile, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to challenge the sudden removal of the film from the OTT platform. The petitioner, Sarwan Singh, a resident of Mohali, argues that the move is unjustified. The film was released on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, after extensive censorship battles and required edits. However, within just two days, on July 5, it vanished from the platform without any official court order or government notice. Advocate Hakam Singh, representing the petitioner, argues that this is a direct violation of the fundamental right to freedom of speech. Viewers are being denied access to the content without any valid explanation. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Censor Board have been made parties to the ongoing case.
Background and Future of the Film
The film 'Sutlej', originally titled 'Punjab 95', is based on the life of renowned activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. It underwent a long period of friction with the Censor Board before being released under its new title, but its swift removal from the digital platform has deepened the mystery. The central government has constituted a three-member committee to review the situation, but the precise reason for the film's withdrawal remains undisclosed. ZEE5 issued a statement claiming that the film was removed temporarily due to current circumstances and that they are exploring legal options to bring it back to the platform. The focus now shifts to the forthcoming decision of the High Court.
