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Satluj backdrop
3 July 2026Hindi164 min

Satluj

7.79 reviews
CriticsExceptional

Bayesian avg · 9 critic reviews

7.5+ Exceptional · 6.5 Recommended · 5.0 Mixed

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Triggered by the search for his missing aunt, human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra takes on a broken system in a courageous fight to uncover the conspiracy behind thousands of disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the nadir of Punjab’s period of insurgency.

Critic Reviews (9)

Shubhra GuptaTop Critic· Indian Express
7.0
"This is a clear win for filmmakers who want to tell the story of an actual person, time and place, with unwavering conviction."
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Neeshita Nyayapati· Hindustan Times
8.0
"It's just as well that the story is now being told in its intended form, which delivers a punch to your gut."
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"Satluj is a powerful political film that pulls no punches."
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Renuka Vyavahare· Times Of India
8.0
"A tense, triggering and fearlessly honest investigative thriller, Satluj unearths one of Punjab's darkest chapters with compelling narrative force."
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Devesh Sharma· Filmfare
8.0
"Satluj belongs firmly in the third category of films that simply refuse to let you look away. It is a sombre, deeply affecting account of one man's relentless pursuit of truth in the face of overwhelming institutional power. Diljit Dosanjh delivers one of the finest performances of his career."
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Bollywood Hungama News Network· Bollywood Hungama
7.0
"SATLUJ brings a deeply disturbing true story to the screen"
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Nandini Ramnath· Scroll.in
"Despite its length – 163 minutes, and not all of them necessary – Satluj is a gripping, tension-filled affair. The film is admirably measured in its outrage and powerfully performed across the board. Trehan's understanding of the circumstances that encourage the killing spree, as well as his clarity on human rights and moral probity, make Satluj one of the sharpest political films in recent memory."
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Anuj Kumar· The Hindu
"Satluj arrives not just as a period drama, but as a fearless, contemporary warning. Despite running over 160 minutes, narrative tension doesn't slacken. The runtime feels earned as the screenplay undergoes mutation from an immersive procedural to a high-stakes thriller with an unexpected layer of dark humour. Diljit delivers a restrained, internalised performance that uncovers the absolute best of his acting craft."
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Agnivo Niyogi· TheTelegraph
"What elevates Satluj beyond historical reconstruction is its refusal to simplify the conversation. The film acknowledges Punjab's trauma during the militancy years without using terrorism as an excuse to legitimise every abuse committed in response. Satluj offers a more difficult proposition, reminding us that asking questions isn't anti-national and that human rights aren't obstacles to security but safeguards against power becoming unanswerable."
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Cast & Crew

Cast

Details

Release Date
3 July 2026
Runtime
164 min
Language
Hindi

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