Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are busy promoting their upcoming film ‘Udta Punjab’, even while the movie is going through a tough time with the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Apparently, the film has been awarded 89 cuts by the Censor Board for its portrayal of substance abuse set against the backdrop of Punjab. The makers have also been adviced to drop Punjab from its title, ‘Udta Punjab’. Here is all you need to know about ‘Udta Punjab’ and the controversy surrounding it.
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Producer of the film ‘Udta Punjab’, Anurag Kashyap of Phantom Films is in no mood to accept the brutal cuts awarded to his movie and has been on a Twitter rant urging no political involvement in his fight. Anurag Kashyap posts, “There is no film more honest than ‘Udta Punjab’. And any person or party opposing it is actually guilty of promoting drugs. I request Congress, AAP and other political parties to stay out of my battle. It’s my Rights vs the Censorship. I speak only on my behalf. It’s my fight vs a dictatorial man sitting there operating like an oligarch in his constituency of Censor Board, that’s my North Korea. Rest of you go pick your own fights. I will fight mine. So please don’t colour my fight with any political affiliation because there is none.” Replying to one of the posts of PM Narendra Modi, Anurag Kashyap posted, “Udta Punjab”, in what looked like a bid to attract attention.
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Shahid Kapoor’s take on removing Punjab from the title ‘Udta Punjab’:
It also came as a huge shocker to all the celebs and cinema world when the Censor Board’s revising committee reportedly asked the makers of ‘Udta Punjab’ to do away with Punjab from the film’s title. Reasoning the same, Shahid Kapoor says, “Just because the title is ‘Udta Punjab’, everybody is only thinking that drugs is a problem in Punjab. First of all, the state lies within this country. Therefore, a problem in part of India should be a problem for the entire country. This is an issue for the entire nation. Drugs and related problems are something that the coming generation should be aware of. Substance is considered very cool nowadays, it has become very easily available. ‘Udta Punjab’ is trying to spread awareness about an issue,” making his stand clear.
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Reports state that the makers of ‘Udta Punjab’, Phantom Films and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures are planning to sue the CBFC. Apparently, the producers will be challenging the decision of the Censor Board in the Bombay High Court. The CBFC has asked the makers to remove all references to the state of Punjab, politics, elections and visual substance abuse. Also considering this huge controversy around the Bollywood film, it is being contemplated that the makers may postpone the release.
Supports for ‘Udta Punjab’ pours in from all quarters of Bollywood:
On the other hand, Bollywood came out in full support of the film. Here’s what celebs and cinema world people said:
Karan Johar
‘Udta Punjab’ speaks of the reality of our times. Censoring reality amounts to delusion. The fraternity has to stand by what’s right!
Mahesh Bhatt
Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance. Is Pahlaj Nihalani listening?
Hansal Mehta came out in support with the hashtag #UdtaPunjabCensored
What is this I’m hearing about #UdtaPunjab? This makes me very, very angry. Can the truth defame a state? Delusion or collusion? Why is the establishment so scared of films that mirror reality? #UdtaPunjabCensored
Soha Ali Khan
Anyone who says that drugs are not a problem in Punjab is either unaware, complicit or has malafide intention
Ram Gopal Varma
Government, which wants to ban ‘Udta Punjab’, should realise that by banning a ‘Udta’ film they are actually trying to ban ‘Udta’ truth. Instead of banning ‘Udta Punjab’, the Punjab Government should ban ‘Udta’ drugs and if they can’t do that they should ban themselves
IN PICS:
Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Diljit Dosanjh at Udta Punjab trailer launch
