The controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s Satluj could lead to significant changes in how films are released on OTT platforms in India.
As per The Indian Express, the government is looking at making certain changes to the Information Technology Act that would make CBFC clearance a prerequisite for all films shown in public, even movies that are made available for the first time on the streaming platform.
This news follows the recent ban on the web series Satluj, earlier known as Punjab 95, on ZEE5 India within 48 hours of being released and once again brings forth discussions on film certification and digital content regulation.
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What is the reason behind this new rule for OTT films?
As per The Indian Express, according to officials in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as viewers have started moving from theaters to OTT platforms, the content that is released on such platforms too needs to be certified uniformly.
An official told the publication that there is a proposal for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to regulate films released directly on digital platforms.
According to the statement issued by the government official, the CBFC had expressed its objections to the filmmakers in May 2023. At first, the producers were approaching the Bombay High Court against the ban, but later they withdrew the case. As per the report, the producers never tried to contact the CBFC for resolving the pending issues.
Further, the report mentions that the streaming service ZEE5 had conveyed to the government that it was not aware of all the previous certification processes before airing the film.
How does the Satluj controversy fit into the debate?
Satluj, a film that is based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was released on ZEE5 on July 3 after years of delays. The film was later removed from the website in India on July 5, with the streaming site ZEE5 stating that the movie will be unavailable for now.
The controversy has now extended beyond the realm of films into the politics of Punjab.
According to The Indian Express, government officials argued that the film’s narrative portrays the State’s counter-insurgency efforts as institutional oppression rather than isolated excesses.
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They also expressed concerns that content related to Punjab’s militancy period could be used to revive grievances among younger audiences and sections of the Sikh diaspora.
As of now, the Centre has not officially announced any amendment to the Information Technology Act or Rules, and the proposal remains under consideration.
FAQs
Is the Centre making CBFC certification mandatory for OTT films?
Not yet. According to reports, the government is considering changes that could require CBFC certification for films released directly on OTT platforms.
Why is Satluj at the centre of the debate?
Satluj, based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, was removed from ZEE5 in India shortly after its release, prompting renewed discussions on OTT regulation and film certification.