“We, at the CBFC, respect the honourable court’s verdict”- Pahlaj Nihalani

The honourable High Court's verdict on Monday could have far-reaching repercussions on the workings of the Censor Board.

The honourable Mumbai High Court cleared Udta Punjab with just one cut.

Reacting to this, the CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani says, "We completely respect the honourable court's verdict. Now that the honourable court has given Udta Punjab the go-ahead, other filmmakers too can appeal to the courts."

Recalling the CBFC's decision to pass the film with cuts, Pahlaj Nihalani says, "We offered to clearUdta Punjab with an 'A' certificate and some cuts which we thought would not hamper the flow of the narrative. It has never been the CBFC's endeavour to obstruct a film's creativity or to be a stumbling block to its release. The producers of Udta Punjab were supposed to return to us with the cuts that we suggested".

The CBFC Chief draws attention to the fact that the Censor Board has cleared another film about the drug menace. "If we had a problem with the drug problem in Punjab being shown on screen, why would we clear the Punjabi film Dhee Punjab Dee which deals with the same issue? Its producer Baljeet Singh has gone on record to condemn the strong language in Udta Punjab. We, at the CBFC, are not against the film."

Pahlaj Nihalani says the CBFC is 'absolutely in-sync' with the honourable High Court's decision. "We're happy with whatever they've decided. Now every filmmaker, who has an objection to our cuts, can go straight to the honourable courts. The CBFC has no relevance."