'The India Story' director REACTS to Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' row: 'It has been a difficult time for films that dare to speak about uncomfortable realities'

The removal of Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' from ZEE5 has reignited conversations around censorship and certification in Indian cinema. Against this backdrop, filmmaker Chettan DK, whose upcoming film 'The India Story: Slow Poison in Progress' is awaiting clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), has expressed concern over the challenges faced by films dealing with socially relevant subjects.Starring Kajal Aggarwal and Shreyas Talpade, 'The India Story' is scheduled to release in theatres on July 24. While the teaser has already been unveiled, the makers are still waiting for the film's certification.Reacting to the developments surrounding 'Satluj' and his own film's pending certification, Chettan DK admitted that the present situation has become increasingly worrying for filmmakers tackling sensitive issues.Talking to News18, he shared, "It has been a difficult time for films that dare to speak about uncomfortable realities. Seeing 'Satluj' disappear from an OTT platform and now 'The India Story' still waiting for its CBFC clearance is heartbreaking as a filmmaker. Our intention has never been to create controversy, we simply want to bring an important issue to the people through cinema."He added, "After years of research and hard work, all we ask is for the film to be allowed to reach audiences.

We remain hopeful that 'The India Story' receives its clearance soon so people can watch it and form their own opinions."

A film centred on a pressing public health issue

Rather than focusing solely on one family's struggle, 'The India Story: Slow Poison in Progress' examines the larger impact of excessive chemical use in agriculture, particularly pesticides, and the consequences for public health. The narrative also highlights alleged systemic failures and raises questions about the need for stronger regulatory oversight to safeguard communities.

Release plans and production team

Produced by Sumit Bagade, Anita Jadhav, Vinayak Saidani, Kalpesh Shah, Devyani Khorate and Prem Joshi, the film features cinematography by Nishant Bhagwat, music by Mangesh Dhakde, editing by Ashish Mhatre, lyrics by Shakeel Azami and sound design by Anmol Bhave.The social drama is slated for a theatrical release in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil on July 24, subject to receiving CBFC certification.