Satluj row: Film body chief questions Diljit, urges him to protect his public image

President BN Tiwari of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has questioned Diljit Dosanjh's choice of films after Satluj was removed from Zee5 in India. He also asked why a certified film faced objections later, even as Zee5 works to restore it.

In Short

• BN Tiwari questioned Diljit Dosanjh's choice of controversial films
• He questioned why post-release concerns arose after extensive censorship and cuts
• Tiwari said governments can halt films over misinformation or harmony fears

The controversy surrounding actor Diljit Dosanjh's film Satluj continues to escalate after it was abruptly removed from Zee5 in India. Now, BN Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), has responded to the issue. He questioned the actor's film choices and said that artistes should consider their social responsibility when choosing projects.

In an exclusive interview with news agency IANS, Tiwari questioned the 42-year-old singer-actor's choice of controversial films saying the actor should be mindful of his public image and influence.

"I am very surprised why Diljit Dosanjh chooses controversial films. He should understand the impact of such decisions. He is a superstar from Punjab and should make decisions wisely so that his image is not affected," he said.

He further said that actors shouldn't take on projects just for money and should also keep the country's interests in mind.

Tiwari emphasised the fact that films posing a risk of inciting unrest should be closely scrutinised. He also questioned why Satluj was allowed to be released if it had passed the certification process.

"If something creates a problem in society, such content should be carefully reviewed. Cinema is meant to entertain and contain some information, but if the government repeatedly interferes or the censor board finds issues, it means there were elements in it that were not suitable for public viewing."

Tiwari said that if the government believes a certified film could spread misinformation, disturb social harmony or be misused by anti-social elements, it has the authority to stop its release. However, they questioned why such concerns were being raised after the film had already undergone extensive censorship.

“I don't understand why the film is being reconsidered even after going through so many cuts and censorship processes. The censor board should have addressed all concerns from the outset. Once approved, the film should be released, as a lot of money is at stake for the producer,” he added.

About Sutluj

Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the alleged cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab between 1984 and 1994. The film was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 but did not receive a clearance certificate. The filmmakers had earlier alleged that the CBFC had sought 127 cuts.

The film was released on Zee5 in India on Friday, but was removed from the streaming platform on Sunday (July 5), leaving viewers shocked.

Following its removal, Zee5 issued a statement saying, "Given the current circumstances, the film 'Satluj' will not be available in India until further notice. We are committed to bringing the film back to our audiences as soon as possible through all appropriate means, following the correct procedures."

The streaming platform is looking into all means to bring the film back on OTT.

- Ends