Here's why Pahlaj Nihalani did not sign Udta Punjab certificate

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court rapped the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for the cuts it ordered in the film 'Udta Punjab', and cleared the Abhishek Chaubey movie with only one cut and a revised disclaimer. 

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The court soon directed the CBFC to issue 'A' certificate within two days which was dutifully delivered in the given time period. However, in an interesting turn of events, the certificate has been awarded without CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani's signature. The copy of certificate also reads the film has been passed by the Courts.

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This comes as a surprise as this is the first time Pahlaj has not signed a certificate. If reports are to be believed, the chairman refused to issue a certificate, leaving the producers in lurch. The makers approached the court yet again, which in turn warned the Censor Board to issue the certificate before 6 pm or face arrest. 

In an interview to Dailybhaskar.com, Pahlaj had a different story to narrate. He said, “If chairman is not present than other authorized person can sign the certificate. I was not present at the office and producers had already reached at 3 pm in the office. So, I could not sign the certificate and the other assigned officer had to sign it.”