B-Town slams censorship on ''Udta Punjab''

Mumbai, June 7

Filmmakers including Karan Johar, Mahesh Bhatt, Ram Gopal Varma among others today criticised Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for censoring the content of upcoming film "Udta Punjab".

The Abhishek Chaubey-directed movie, co-produced by Phantom and Balaji Films, deals with the substance abuse in Northern part of the state and its effects on the youth.

"#UdtaPunjab speaks of the reality of our times...

Censoring reality amounts to delusion... The fraternity has to stand by what's right!!" Johar posted on Twitter.

The strong reactions from the film industry came after the Censor Board purportedly raised certain objections regarding references to Punjab.

It has been said the Shahid Kapoor-Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer might have to undergo some changes due to the board's disapproval.

Sudhir Mishra, who has had his share of run-ins with the board , tweeted, "No film shud be censored. Only be certified.

Lot of blood, sweat has gone into the making. But the answer is to make brave films."

Bhatt, whose daughter Alia is playing one of the leads in the film, said censorship is similar to ignorance.

"Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance". Is Pahalaj Nihalani listening? The Censors says I am the one who says the last sentence on UDTA PUNJAB .The nation can say what it wants our verdict is going to stick.

Why should I censor myself to nourish ignorance." 

National award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who faced an opposition from the board before the release of his last film "Aligarh" , said the row surrounding "Udta Punjab" has made him angry.

"What is this I'm hearing about #UdtaPunjab? Makes me very, very angry. Can the truth defame a state?

#UdtaPunjabCensored Delusion or collusion? Why is the establishment so scared of films that mirror reality?

#UdtaPunjabCensored," tweeted an agitated Hansal.

Actor Ranvir Shorey requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene into the matter.

"Dear @PMOIndia, please put an end to this constant BLACKMAILING of the film fraternity by the CBFC. Films aren't causing #India's problems!" — PTI