The release of “Satluj” on ZEE5 on July 3 briefly marked the end of a three-year battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which had banned the film. However, the OTT platform suddenly removed the film in India on July 5. The biopic, originally titled “Punjab 95”, is based on the life of social activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and is directed by Diljit DosanjhSuvinder Pal Vicky plays the militant SSP Surjit Singh Sugga.In a recent interview, the “Kohrra” actor reflected on the film’s sudden removal from streaming platforms, the challenges of playing a very different cop in “Kohrra” while taking on one of the film’s darkest characters, and why he continues to choose roles that provide substance in his screen time.
Suvinder Pal Vicky on the sudden withdrawal of ‘Satluj’
When asked about his first reaction to Satluj being taken down from Indian OTT platforms two days after it started streaming, Vicky told Variety India, “My point is, if we still hold on to the belief that we can heal old wounds or if we think that our present, future or generations will not be able to digest the truth, then that is wrong. As for the rest, whatever game is being played to block our film, it will still continue. The film was pulled from OTT within a few days as soon as it went live. It’s been a long and tiring journey, everyone is happy and things are going well, but no one knows what’s going to happen next.”Reflecting on the years spent waiting for the film to be released, Vicky said: “Dear TrehanRonnie Scruvala, we actors, the entire team completed our work and moved on to our next project, but it was tiring for us because everyone kept asking about the release of the film. The live broadcast lasted for two days and everyone was very enthusiastic. But that didn’t last long. “
Suvinder Pal Vicky talks about playing SSP Surjit Singh Sugga
When asked if it was difficult to take on a role as cold and ruthless as SSP Surjit Singh Sugga, Vicky said it was not a difficult decision at all and explained how he developed the character during the research process, “Not at all. I did some research on the character after Honey Trehan narrated the character. What kind of person he is, what kind of person he is.” Gradually, I started to find it more interesting. “The ‘Dhurandhar’ actor then detailed the grueling schedule of playing two very different cops at the same time, shooting for Kohrra during the day and Satluj at night:“The shooting of my role as police inspector Balbir Singh in ‘Kohraa’ is coming to an end and I am about to start shooting for ‘Satluj’. During the day I was shooting for ‘Kohrra’ in Ludhiana and at night I was shooting for the scenes of ‘Satluj’ in a village near Tarn Taran. As an actor, I face significant challenges. Suja and Balbir are both police officers, and their uniforms are the same khaki color, but there is a world of difference between them. The policeman in Satluj was a brutal man. This is a big challenge for me. I gave 100% effort and I think I succeeded. People told me they hated the character, and so did I. “Vicky also spoke about the responsibility he felt in portraying the character honestly, given the real history the character was drawn from, “It was very important for me to put Suvinder aside and play Suja. The violence or injustice done to ordinary people by the police at that time must be told. This was indeed a dark time for Punjab. “
Suvinder Pal Vicky on choosing content over screen time
When asked why audiences see relatively little of him on screen, despite the praise he receives, Vicky said: “I do my work in a completely honest way, so it feels good. As for doing very little work, I do the best I can. I have a hunger for work. I want to enjoy my work. Whether the role is big or small, there should be something in it… some kind of challenge.” So, if I have a lot of work, I try to give it my all and entertain people.“
More information about “Satluj”
Directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh, Satluj (originally titled Punjab ’95) is a powerful biographical drama inspired by the life of revered human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Set against the backdrop of the turmoil of the militancy era in Punjab in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the film follows Khalra as he embarks on a harrowing crusade to investigate and expose corrupt police officers involved in illegal kidnappings, extrajudicial killings and mass unidentified cremations. The film became a lightning rod for censorship controversies, having fought a tough battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over more than 120 editing requests over the years. Although the unedited version had a brief digital premiere on ZEE5 in July 2026, it was suddenly pulled within 48 hours following instructions from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.