Certify, don’t censor, HC tells film board

Nihalani has been widely criticised for the 89 cuts he has inflicted on Bollywood film “Udta Punjab”, whose producer Anurag Kashyap and his Phantom Films have taken the board to court over it.

Justice SC Dharmadhikari was stunned about the entie hue and cry on the part of CBFC for calling the film anti-Punjab.

“Has drug menace never been portrayed on celluloid?” Some of it may be crude, while some may be artistic. “How does this signboard insult anyone?”, the judge asked the CBFC.

In one such instance, the CBFC’s lawyer went on to argue that cussing was justified only till Tommy (Shahid Kapoor’s character in the film) is a drug addict.

“You are saying don’t show a board”. The petitioner also asked the Censor Board why they could pass films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Delhi Belly, which also have a lot of expletives but not Udta Punjab?

The Revising Committee’s order has suggested 13 changes to the movie, besides deleting references to Punjab as it was allegedly not in conformity with the Cinematograph Act. “I am a very liberal person but I am not the only person to have a say”, Nihalani added. “It’s a laudable effort”.

“I don’t know about the issue”.

Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt and Anurag Kashyap alleged that the Censor Board was intentionally delaying the film’s clearance.

Stating that he was not satisfied with the existing system of film certification, Jaitley said there are some changes that are about be made.

Udta Panjab Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said to the CBFC chief Mr. Nihalani’s recrimination that the Udta Panjab is funded by the Aam Aadmi Party (“AAP”) and also he said Mr. Nihalani are insulting of an entire industry.

Having said that, Benegal asserted that he would not recommend the film for a universal audience.

They only asked for an “A” certificate.

The bench also said that the creative writers were not capable of using subtle language to depict such issues. “The eradication of drugs from Punjab is top priority for the Congress and the protest event will be held in that context only”, the Congress leader said.

The bench said that when the CBFC was asking for references to Punjab and some cities to be removed, how would the dialogue indicate that Punjab was being referred to.