The controversy around Diljit Dosanjh‘s film ‘Satluj’ has found a new voice of criticism, with Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) President BN Tiwari raising questions over the actor-singer’s choice of project. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Tiwari said that actors should not take up films purely for financial gain and must consider their wider responsibility and public image while selecting roles.
BN Tiwari on why content like ‘Satluj’ should Be ‘carefully reviewed’
Asked specifically about the removal of ‘Satluj’ from OTT platform ZEE5 in India, BN Tiwari told IANS, “Actually, if something creates problems in society, then such content should be carefully reviewed. Cinema is meant for entertainment and also carries some information, but if the government repeatedly intervenes or if the censor board finds issues, it means there were elements that were not suitable for public viewing.“
BN Tiwari discusses the censorship process
Tiwari went on to question the logic of a film being reconsidered after already clearing India’s censorship process, stating, “Even if the film has passed censorship, and later the Government of India feels it could spread misinformation, disturb social harmony, or be misused by harmful elements, then such films should ideally be stopped earlier. I don’t understand why, after going through so many cuts and the censorship process, the film is still being reconsidered. The censor board should have addressed all concerns at the beginning itself. Once clearance is given, the film should be released, because a lot of a producer’s money is at stake. If all necessary cuts have already been made, there is no justification for stopping the film afterward. It should either be cleared and released or rejected during the censorship stage itself.”
BN Tiwari on why Diljit Dosanjh chooses to do ‘controversial films’
The FWICE president then turned his attention directly to Diljit Dosanjh, expressing surprise at the actor’s choice of project, noting, “I am very surprised why Diljit Dosanjh chooses to do controversial films. He should understand the impact of such decisions. He is a superstar of Punjab, and he should think carefully so that his image is not affected. He has a huge fan base across the world today.”Tiwari further elaborated on what he believes should guide an artist’s choice of roles, “From what I understand, it is also an artist’s duty not to do films just for money or any other reason. One must keep ‘nation first’ in mind. I am not saying that he does not have any responsibility towards the nation-he has a lot, and he is very talented. But he must definitely reflect on this before taking up such projects.”
More about ‘Satluj’ and the controversy surrounding the Diljit Dosanjh starrer
Directed by Honey Trehan, ‘Satluj’ is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film premiered on ZEE5 in India on Friday under the title ‘Satluj’, after years of delays tied to its censorship history, it was originally submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification under the title ‘Punjab 95’ back in 2022 and had reportedly been asked to make as many as 127 cuts before release.To everyone’s surprise, the film was pulled from the platform in India just two days later, on Sunday. In a statement shared on social media, ZEE5 said: “In light of the current developments, ‘Satluj’ will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.” The streaming platform also thanked viewers for their overwhelming response, stating that it stands firmly by the film and its creative vision.The sudden takedown has since sparked a wider debate with Diljit Dosanjh himself addressing fans in an Instagram Live session to thank them for watching the film before its removal, and now with FWICE’s BN Tiwari weighing in on whether artists should take up such politically sensitive projects at all.
