Our entire country has become Censor Board: Irrfan Khan on Udta Punjab censor row

Mumbai: Amid a raging row over the drug-themed crime thriller "Udta Punjab", actor Irrfan Khan has slammed the system of censoring a movie, saying government needs to take some steps for betterment of the film industry.

Many Bollywood personalities came out in support of "Udta Punjab" embroiled in a controversy with the Censor Board over various cuts suggested for the movie.

"Our entire country has become Censor Board. If anything comes up, it becomes a huge issue. We should take it seriously, industry should come forward," Irrfan told reporters here.

"Industry pays Rs 4,000 crore as tax per year, so there should be some gesture by government, they should give some 'shaabashi' (pat on the back)... We all must wake up. Government must think too. Mahesh Bhatt said a film he made 40
years ago is still stuck. We are sleeping," he added. 

The Abhishek Chaubey-directed film is based around the drug-related problems prevalent in Punjab. Irrfan said many news outlets have documented the problem in Punjab but it became a big issue when a film, based on the same state, is about to release.

"There are a lot of issues which don't reach us. For so many years, some magazines were writing about one state and highlighting the severity of the crisis. After 10 years, a film is made based on the state and it becomes such a big
issue." 

"My problem is I don't even know if it is Censor Board or certificate board. It is a certificate board, not Censor Board. These rules were made by 'angrez' (British) so one individual shouldn't be blamed," the national award winning actor added.

The actor said there is a need to revamp rules as they were written keeping in mind the old times. "Anybody who sits (as the head) will follow the rules which were written during those times by 'angrez' who wanted to control us."

In a show of solidarity with the makers of 'Udta Punjab', Hrithik Roshan too tweeted his support. He was 'proud' of the Abhishek Chaubey-directed film and
the censorship controversy surrounding it has brought to light the sad situation Indian films often find themselves in.

The film which centres around the drug problem in Punjab is embroiled in a battle with the censor board over the latter's demand of several cuts including the removal of the word "Punjab" from the whole film as well as the title.

"Udta Punjab brings out d unfortunate condition suffered by films.But fortunately reveals that strangers can stand up n unite 4 justice. Proud," Hrithik tweeted.

He joins Bollywood celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Hansal Mehta and Imtiaz Ali who have expressed support for the flim.