Fresh attempts to scuttle release of ‘Udta Punjab’ in SC
Just two days before Udta Punjab hits cinema halls in India, the movie has been leaked on torrent sites, allegedly by someone from within the censor board.
Welcoming the High Court’s verdict in favour of their film, “Udta Punjab” co-producer Anurag Kashyap on Tuesday sought censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani’s removal and overhaul in CBFC.
Mumbai: Shahid Kapoor’s controversial film “Udta Punjab” is finally set for this Friday release, and the actor has urged everyone to stop judging films without watching them. “I don’t watch films nor do I have the right to watch films”.
By its June 13 order, the high court, while setting aside the 13 cuts as were directed by the CBFC’s Revising Committee, had cleared the film for release with one cut – that of the hero Shahid Kapoor shown urinating in public.
Kashyap said they were careful in not letting the film get dragged into politics while they were fighting censorship.
“I think we as an industry should fight it as it is even for the films in future”.
If at all the word spreads, it’s only going to land more trouble for Phantom Movies and Balaji Motion Pictures. The board suggested 89 cuts in the film before it could be given a certification for release.
The Bombay High Court’s verdict that the film could release with one cut and after inserting three disclaimers was hailed by filmmakers and movie buffs as a victory for freedom of expression. I am a director’s daughter and I know what a director goes through.
Surprisingly, the film has leaked only hours before when Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was supposed to submit the certificate to makers of Udta Punjab on court’s order.
Also starring Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh, “Udta Punjab” struggled for weeks to stand where it is today.