Udta Punjab has not been banned, submitted to revising committee: Anurag Kashyap
Apparently, Censor Board members have been divided over the number of cuts, although they unanimously agreed to grant it an A certificate.
Mumbai: Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s Udta Punjab’s trailer may have been let off easy without a single cut but the film itself is receiving a severe treatment. According to reports, the Abhishek Choubey film has failed to get the Board's nod over the blatant use of cuss words and scenes showing substance abuse.
The makers have tried to convince the examining committee (EC) about the importance of the dialogues as well as the scenes, but to no avail. Now, instead of appealing to the Board's revising committee, the makers have approached Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT).
Apparently, the board members have been divided over the number of cuts, although they had unanimously agreed to grant it an 'A' certificate. The CBFC's decision comes a week after Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had expressed reservations over the portrayal of Punjabis in the film which is scheduled for release on June 17, seven months ahead of the 2017 assembly polls.
While there have been reports that the film has been banned altogether, Anurag took to his social networking handle to put an end to all the speculations. He wrote,
For the record ,"Udta Punjab" is not banned. The examining committe has deferred the decision to Revising and due process is on.
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016
And due process takes it own time so please abstain for spreading a BAN rumour. There is nothing to speak on the subject as of now.
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016
A film is banned only when examining, revising and FCAT all three refuse certificate . And then you fight it out in Supreme Court
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016
Anurag had earlier thanked Pahlaj Nihalani for clearing the movie trailer on Twitter. He wrote, “Pleasantly surprised and thankful to the CBFC for seeing the Udta Punjab trailer in the context and clearing it without a single cut.Big one. Having cursed the CBFC always for there overzealous attitude, must credit them where it’s due. Thank you Mr Nihalani. Hoping it continues” — is what woke the Board up to the miss.
Last month, Ekta Kapoor had approached FCAT after EC had rejected 'Great Grand Masti'. The tribunal had passed the film stating that it was a lot less vulgar than 'Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3' and 'Mastizaade', both of which released in January.
Watch the trailer of 'Udta Punjab' here.