Indian Censors Block Honey Trehan's Film 'Satluj' for Three Years, Then Ban It Within 48 Hours of Digital Release

The film 'Satluj,' previously known as 'Ghallughara,' directed by Honey Trehan, focuses on activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and the police abuses in Punjab during the 1990s. For over three years, it faced obstacles from India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Following its digital release in July 2026, the government prohibited it within 48 hours, citing national security concerns. The CBFC requested 127 edits, such as omitting Khalra's name and altering the actual location of Trilokpuri to 'Khanpuri.' Trehan criticized the 'dystopian' censorship under Narendra Modi's administration, alleging that cinema is being manipulated for political purposes. Despite the ban, unauthorized screenings have attracted thousands across Punjab. The film is grounded in 1,800 pages of research, including testimonies and court documents, and Trehan asserts it has fostered community unity rather than violence.