CHANDIGARH: The controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Sutlej has reached the judiciary, with a petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the illegal public screenings of the film across various locations.
The film, originally titled Punjab 95, was released on the OTT platform ZEE5 on July 3 after a three-year delay. However, it was pulled down just two days later following directives. Despite its removal from the streaming platform, local residents in several villages and towns of Punjab have been organizing unauthorized public screenings.
Advocate Vineet Jindal has moved the High Court against these screenings. Sharing a copy of the petition on X (formerly Twitter), Jindal stated that he is seeking action against individuals, religious organizations, and political parties involved in organizing these illegal viewings. The petition alleges that the screenings are reportedly being held to incite violence and hatred against a specific community and security agencies.
“These illegal acts can threaten peace, public order, and communal harmony in Punjab. I have sought appropriate directions to stop such illegal screenings and demanded action against the perpetrators in accordance with the law,” Jindal stated.
According to a BBC report, since the film’s removal from ZEE5, people in various Punjabi villages and towns have been downloading the movie independently and playing it on large LED screens. These community viewings are being held in open spaces and Gurudwaras. Similar public screenings were also reported from Rajasthan, images of which were shared by Diljit Dosanjh on his Instagram account.
Reacting to the film’s abrupt removal from the OTT platform, Dosanjh had recently released a video stating he anticipated the move. The actor-singer mentioned that while he expected the film to be taken down by Monday, it was removed earlier on Sunday. He had also urged people to download the link and watch the film.
