Diljit Dosanjh charged just Re 1 for his role in the film Satluj, director Honey Trehan revealed in a recent interview. The actor refused to take his normal payment after learning about the real-life story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, whom he plays in the movie.
The revelation comes as Satluj continues to make news following its brief release on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, and its removal from the platform within 48 hours. Despite the film’s troubled journey, Trehan said Dosanjh’s commitment to the project never changed from the very first meeting.
Why Diljit Said No to Money for the Film
Trehan told The Print that Dosanjh was deeply moved when he learned about Khalra’s life. The director met the actor in January 2021 at the Amritsar airport. Dosanjh was on his way to Mumbai for a few hours before catching a flight to the United States. Trehan asked him to meet for 30 minutes.
During that meeting, Trehan shared his research documents about Khalra. The moment Dosanjh saw Khalra’s photograph on the cover, he stood up from his chair, touched the script to his forehead, and said “Waheguru”.
“How can I charge to play someone like Khalra? It will be shameful.”
Trehan told him a contract required payment to be mentioned. Dosanjh replied that if the director needed to put something in the contract, he could pay him just Re 1.
Trehan had always wanted a Sikh actor for the role. He believed casting a Bollywood actor who was not Sikh would take away from the story’s truth.
“Had Diljit not been there, this film would not have existed. I wanted an actor who knows that world. I was keen on casting a Sardar because if I put a Bollywood actor in the film, the narrative would suddenly become, ‘This actor is playing a Sardar.’ That would’ve been an injustice to Khalra Sahab’s journey and the people whose pain this story carries.”
The two have known each other for nearly a decade. Trehan was also the one who brought Dosanjh into Bollywood with Udta Punjab.
The Real Story Behind Satluj
Satluj is based on the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a bank clerk from Amritsar who became a human rights activist in Punjab during the 1990s. He investigated the cremation of around 25,000 people in the state between 1984 and 1994. Many of these people had disappeared during Punjab’s insurgency period, and their families were never told what happened.
According to court records, Khalra was abducted and murdered in police custody in 1995. Several police officers were later convicted for their role in his killing.
The film follows Khalra’s search for truth and his fight for justice. It also shows how his wife Paramjit Kaur continued his work after he disappeared.
Film’s Long and Difficult Journey to Release
Satluj was completed in 2022 but never made it to cinemas. The film got stuck with India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for over three years. It was originally titled Punjab ’95 and later changed to Satluj.
The film finally premiered on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, in its original uncut version. But within two days, it was taken down from the platform. ZEE5 said the film would be unavailable in India “until further notice” because of “current developments”.
Diljit Dosanjh addressed the removal in a live social media video. He said he had expected the film to be banned but not so quickly.
“What I had already expected is exactly what happened. I thought the film might get banned when offices opened on Monday, but I didn’t know it would happen as early as Sunday evening.”
Dosanjh also said the makers kept promotions to a minimum because they knew the film faced trouble. “If we had promoted it, the film would definitely not have been released at all,” he said.
Despite the removal, he said he was glad audiences finally got to watch the film after years of waiting.
Diljit’s Dedication on Set
Trehan also shared stories about Dosanjh’s behavior during filming. The actor showed up on set as early as six in the morning, even when his first shot was scheduled for later in the day.
“Every single time, he would tell me, ‘Paaji, no problem. Whatever you’re doing, you’re doing for the film. I’m here to support the film.’”
The director described Dosanjh as someone with a “clear conscience” and said his soul is pure.
Also Read:
What the Film Means for Viewers
Satluj tells the story of one of the most difficult periods in Punjab’s history. The film received strong reviews during its brief availability. The Hollywood Reporter called it “one of the finest Indian films of the year”.
The movie stars Diljit Dosanjh as Jaswant Singh Khalra, alongside Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky, and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan. It is produced by Ronnie Screwvala under RSVP and MacGuffin Pictures.
The film’s removal from ZEE5 has sparked fresh discussions about freedom of expression and the challenges faced by filmmakers who tell sensitive stories. The government has not publicly commented on the removal.
ThePrint reported that Trehan said without Dosanjh, the film would not exist. The actor’s decision to take only Re 1 shows how much the story meant to him. It also shows his respect for Khalra’s legacy and the people whose pain the film carries.
Also Read: The Batman Part II Release Pushed to 2028, First Footage Shows Robert Pattinson Back in Suit
Keep reading more entertainment news and updates on VvipTimes.
Leave a Reply