I think the representation was not from the point of view of what will get more headlines but who will speak better and represent the film better.
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It has come as a big relief for the “Udta Punjab” makers who had approached Bombay HC against the 89 cuts suggested by the CBFC.
In the Bombay High Court, Anurag Kashyap’s Phantom Films had challenged the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) revising committee’s order of June 6 directing for a total of 13 changes in the movie.
A controversial film depicting drug abuse in India’s Punjab state will be released on Friday with just one cut, the Bombay High Court has ruled.
Another Punjab based NGO named Fateh Foundation had last week said that it would press for Udta Punjab’s release with absolutely no cuts whatsoever. He said “doors for films with obscene, vulgar content are open now” and questions have been raised on the working of the censor board.
The Censor Board gave an “A” certificate to the film citing that the film is suitable for exhibition but only for adults.
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.
Mahajan said expectations were that the movie will make over Rs 10 crore on its opening day. The court cleared the film for release with just one cut and a revised disclaimer.
Pahlaj Nihalani says the CBFC is “absolutely in-sync” with the honourable High Court’s decision.
“I think we as an industry should fight it as it is even for the films in future”.
Amidst the controversy surrounding its censorship, Udta Punjab will finally release on its scheduled date i.e. 17 June 2016.
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The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab has also said that it has no objection to the release of the film, adding that the people will decide the fate of the Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhat starrer.
