Despite being pulled from the streaming platform within just 48 hours of its release, ‘Satluj’ is still reaching viewers through unconventional channels. Suvinder Vicky, who portrays SSP Surjit Singh Sugga, the film’s antagonist, says communities across Punjab have taken to organising group screenings, approaching the film almost as an act of “seva.” Even as the Honey Trehan-directed film continues to be embroiled in the controversy over its takedown, Suvinder notes that this groundswell of public support has turned out to be the project’s greatest reward.
Suvinder Vicky: “People are treating it like seva”
In an interview with NDTV, Suvinder revealed he has been deeply touched by how far audiences have gone to make sure the film reaches people. “People are treating it like seva. Many had already downloaded it before it was taken down, and now they’re sharing it with others. I have heard that people are taking projectors to villages across Punjab and organising screenings. Just as people do seva during Guruparab by serving langar or chabeel, they are treating this film the same way. That has truly touched my heart,” he said.
Suvinder Vicky on the quiet, focused set with Diljit
Suvinder also spoke highly of Dosanjh’s discipline and focus while working, describing him as a supportive fellow actor and “a true artist” whose devotion to his craft, he felt, would inevitably pay off. He recalled that the set had an unusually hushed atmosphere, since neither of them was inclined to make conversation between takes, choosing instead to remain absorbed in their characters. Small talk, he said, was something both actors steered clear of, Diljit avoided it to keep unwanted distractions at bay and stay in character, while Suvinder admitted he needed the same kind of focus, which is what kept the set so quiet.
Suvinder Vicky recalls the toughest scenes to shoot
The actor pointed to the torture sequences between his character, Sugga, and Diljit’s Jaswant Singh Khalra as among the most physically taxing parts of the shoot. He remembered one scene in particular, where Diljit was left hanging while Suvinder had to throw pamphlets at him repeatedly during an interrogation, with each one required to hit his face just right. According to Suvinder, the shot demanded several retakes since nailing the timing wasn’t easy. He admitted to feeling a great deal of pressure acting alongside Diljit, knowing there was little room for error. More often than not, the pamphlets would veer off target, striking Diljit’s neck or missing altogether, which meant the scene had to be shot over and over.
Suvinder Vicky on Diljit’s patience: “Bhaiji, koi gal ni”
Time and again, after the pamphlets missed their mark, Suvinder would apologise to Diljit. Each time, though, the actor responded with nothing but a smile and the words, “Bhaiji, koi gal ni (It’s okay, don’t worry).” Suvinder, recalling this, spoke of Diljit’s patience and humility in glowing terms, even calling him “God’s child.” As for the continued roadblocks ‘Satluj’ has faced even after its release following years of delay, Suvinder chose not to speculate on the causes. He simply felt that anyone pushing to have the film blocked would do well to watch it first — they might find nothing in it that actually warranted such a move.
Suvinder Vicky on fear of being typecast as “the Butcher”
Suvinder also opened up about his initial worry that audiences might have trouble separating him from Sugga, a character modelled on a real police officer once notoriously dubbed the region’s “Butcher.” As it turned out, though, he said the reaction he received was overwhelmingly positive. Suvinder noted that not a single person responded with hostility or abuse — instead, viewers praised his performance, something he called the highest compliment he could have asked for.
Suvinder Vicky’s film and its long battle with the CBFC
Shot and completed almost four years back, ‘Satluj’ has had a long, troubled journey to the big screen. It was first sent to the CBFC under the title Ghallughara and reportedly got clearance with 21 cuts, before being told to rename itself ‘Punjab ’95’. Following a legal battle, the revising committee is said to have then pushed for as many as 127 cuts, along with a demand to change the name of protagonist Jaswant Singh Khalra. When the makers pushed back and refused, it ended up delaying the film’s release in India by years.
Suvinder Vicky’s film pulled within 48 hours of release
The film finally made its way to viewers on ZEE5 on July 3, streaming in its uncut form, only to be pulled within 48 hours after the Centre asked the platform to take it down, invoking security concerns under the Information Technology (IT) Rules. The decision faced pushback from the SGPC as well as multiple political parties in Punjab, while Diljit Dosanjh would later remark that the takedown was “bound to happen.” Helmed by Honey Trehan, Satluj features Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Rampal, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in the lead roles.