Centre weighs mandatory certification for OTT films after Satluj row

MUMBAI: The credits may have rolled, but the controversy is still very much in play. The brief and turbulent streaming journey of Satluj, the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer earlier titled Punjab 95, has sparked fresh deliberations within the Centre over whether films released directly on OTT platforms should require mandatory certification before reaching viewers.

According to The Indian Express, the government is considering amendments to the Information Technology Act that would make certification compulsory for all films released for public viewing, including those that bypass theatres and premiere exclusively on streaming platforms.

Inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, Satluj finally premiered on ZEE5 on July 3 after years of delays linked to certification issues. However, the film was taken down in India within 48 hours, with ZEE5 later stating that it would remain unavailable until further notice.

The controversy has since spilled into the political arena ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised the film’s removal from ZEE5, blaming the BJP-led Centre for the decision. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal announced that his party would organise screenings of the film across villages and towns in Punjab, saying the initiative was aimed at educating younger generations about the alleged atrocities faced by the Sikh community during the Congress government’s tenure.

According to the report, officials in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) believe the rapid growth of OTT platforms has strengthened the case for revisiting the regulatory framework governing films released online.

An official quoted by the publication said the proposal envisages a larger regulatory role for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), given that streaming platforms have become a primary destination for public film consumption.

The report states that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had written to the filmmakers in May 2023, prohibiting the film’s release. The producers initially challenged the decision in court but later withdrew their petition after examining the Board’s objections. According to officials, the Bombay High Court disposed of the matter on January 7, 2025, following which the producers did not return to the CBFC to address the outstanding concerns. Instead, the report claims, the filmmakers retained the original version of the film while changing only its title from Punjab 95 to Satluj.

The report further states that ZEE5 told the ministry it was unaware of the developments between the filmmakers and authorities during 2022 and 2023 when it was asked to explain how the film was released on its platform.

Government officials cited national security concerns as a key factor behind their objections. According to the report, they argued that the film portrays the State as being responsible for mass killings, disappearances and illegal cremations, while depicting the government’s counter-insurgency operations as systemic oppression rather than isolated excesses.

Officials also reportedly maintained that the issue must be viewed against Punjab’s current security landscape, arguing that the film’s depiction of the militancy period could revive grievances among younger audiences and sections of the Sikh diaspora. The report added that authorities believe similar narratives are already being amplified by pro-Khalistan groups and Pakistan-based entities to further anti-India messaging.

If the proposed legal changes move forward, the Satluj controversy could become a watershed moment in reshaping how films released exclusively on streaming platforms are regulated in India.