What would be left of the film ‘Udta Punjab’ if the word ‘Punjab’ were removed?
The film, which is based on the growing drug addiction among the youth in Punjab, has run into trouble with the censor board yet again – with the latter now demanding that the film not be “based on Punjab”.
Apparently, the committee wants the film to be set in a fictional land rather than in Punjab. According to reports, the Reviewing Committee is of the view that the film ‘defames’ Punjab.
Previously, the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) had levied 40 cuts on the movie which prompted producer Anurag Kashyap to request the tribunal and the I&B minister to intervene. It’s likely that the Censor Board eventually succumbed to the political pressure.
Earlier, the ruling party in Punjab, Akali Dal had also objected to the movie. Sources close to the censors report that it political pressure has led to the fracas. The movie releases in the run-up to the Punjab elections slated for early next year.
(With inputs from ANI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)