Bollywood filmmakers lash out on Pahlaj Nihalani over harsh censorship on Udta Punjab

June 8, 2016 - 4:54 PM IST

As we have mentioned before, Udta Punjab is facing a lot of trouble from Censor Board of Film Certification over the highly abusive content as well as the portrayal of substance abuse, the drug menace among the youth of Punjab. However, CBFC has ordered over 90 cuts in total along with removal of references and the word Punjab from the film. Both CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani and Punjab government thinks that the film is showing the state in bad light and hence, it should face cuts.

Bollywood filmmakers lash out on Pahlaj Nihalani over harsh censorship on Udta Punjab

Protesting against Pahlaj Nihalani, the makers of Udta Punjab, Anurag Kashyap, Ekta Kapoor and other Bollywood filmmakers called for a press conference to discuss the matter. They pointed out that this move will discourage other filmmakers to make real films as their wings will be cut by the censor rules.

Dil Dhadakne Do director Zoya Akhar addressed the issue stating that Censor board is behaving like an actual censor as it can't certify or ask for 89 cuts. She added that living in constant denial and not facing the country's problem isn't a solution and banning the film is definitely not a way to deal with it.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt who came to support the team of Udta Punjab that also stars his daughter Alia Bhatt in the lead role addressed the issue stating that nothing has changed for over a decade. Zakhm (directed by Mahesh Bhatt) too was banned and in 2016 the situation is exactly the same. He believes that everyone should voice their opinion and express their anger.

Anand L Rai who has been associated with movies like Tanu Weds Manu talked about how Censor board doesn't trust the filmmakers at all.

Sudhir Mishra known for some of the controversial movies was also on the panel at the press conference. The filmmaker appreciated the solidarity of the film fraternity which currently stands united to deal with the matter.

Imtiaz Ali, who directed Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone starrer Tamasha last year, addressed about the attack on freedom of expression and added that they are all in this together and will speak up against it.

Actor and filmmaker Satish Kaushik, known for his comic roles, came forward to support Anurag Kashyap, Ekta Kapoor and the team and stated that it is wrong to ask to chop the title or the important lines in the story.

Tips head Ramesh Taurani expressed that if they had given 'A' certificate to the film then there won't be any issue.

Now that Bollywood has come forward to support a film, we will have to wait and see what will the fate of Udta Punjab. The film stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh in lead roles.