Ever since its quiet release on OTT on July 3, followed by a global ban, ‘Satluj’, earlier titled ‘Panjab 95’, has been generating considerable buzz on social media. The film, headlined by Diljit Dosanjh, is a biopic on Jaswant Singh Khalra and has already been viewed by a large global audience. One person who hasn’t watched it yet, though, is ‘Satluj’ actor Varun Badola. In a recent interview, Varun, who essays the role of advocate Ravinder Jais in the film, said he has no intention of watching a pirated version of it.
Varun Badola on Satluj’s OTT removal
Just 48 hours after its release, ‘Satluj’ was pulled from ZEE5, though it had remained accessible internationally on the platform. However, the latest update indicates that the Honey Trehan directorial is no longer available for viewing overseas either. Meanwhile, the Diljit-led film was screened in Jammu for local communities, and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has announced plans to host further screenings at gurdwaras.
Varun Badola refuses to watch pirated version
During a live session on Instagram, Diljit had urged fans to share copies of the film on social media. Amid this, Varun Badola, speaking to News18, addressed Satluj’s removal from OTT and stated that he would never watch its pirated version. He mentioned that he has come across videos on Instagram and other platforms showing the film being screened in villages, but said he holds certain principles when it comes to watching cinema. He said, “We keep fighting against piracy. I understand that this situation is very different, but I still can’t advocate piracy. I won’t watch the pirated version. That’s a rule I’ve always followed.”
Varun Badola recalls being clueless about the film’s release
Varun said he would wait and watch the film at a later time. Recalling how he had no idea about Satluj’s release, the actor said his friends first told him about his look and character in the film, which left him confused, as he initially assumed they were referring to a different project. It was only when they specifically mentioned the title ‘Satluj’ that he realised, until then, he wasn’t even aware he had worked on a film by that name. He was with his family when the film dropped on ZEE5, and he and his wife Rajeshwari had planned to watch it in due course, but it was taken down before they could. He clarified, “It’s not like I didn’t watch it because they wanted to make and release it in complete secrecy. Each time Honey would ask me to watch it, I never got around to it.”
Varun Badola calls the ban ‘robbery under broad daylight’
The actor reacted sharply to the film’s ban, calling the takedown of ‘Satluj’ “robbery under broad daylight.” He pointed out that several films had faced bans in the past, saying, “Sometimes, the powers that be feel that a course correction is important. Only they know why they decided to ban our film.” Varun also felt that officials should have watched ‘Satluj’ before deciding to ban it. Notably, a petition had been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the “illegal” public screenings of the film in Punjab, following which the Inter-Departmental Committee reviewed the Diljit starrer and ruled that it should continue to be blocked from public access in the country.
Varun Badola’s ‘Satluj’ also stars Arjun Rampal
The film also stars Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya in pivotal roles. ‘Satluj’ was originally slated for a 2023 release but got delayed owing to a hold-up in certification from the CBFC.
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