Udta Punjab Is Not Getting Banned. Wait, Was It Just A False Alarm? Here's The Truth!

Who is banning Udta Punjab? Apparently, no one. It seems that the news of this film being banned is probably just udti hui khabar.

After social media went on a tirade against the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for 'banning' the film, Bombay Times probed into the issue. It is said that when the film was seen by the members of the Examining Committee, they unanimously agreed to give it an 'A' certificate and suggested 18 cuts.

Ever since the film's trailer released, its explosive content became the topic of discussion. While a section of moviegoers couldn't stop raving about its trippy trailer, the excessive use of expletives and the subject of drug abuse in Punjab incurred the wrath of certain quarters.

On talking to Pahlaj Nihalani, CBFC chairperson, for his version, he revealed,

"We have not recommended any cuts. Yes, the Examining Committee had a few reservations and couldn't come to a consensus on the film, because of which they suggested that the makers take the film to the Revising Committee. However, the makers decided to move to the Tribunal instead, which is absolutely their call. Our decisions at the CBFC are not based on what a certain political group' has to say about a movie. There is no ban from our end. We aren't authorised to ban a movie; we can pass it or reject it."

Ashoke Pandit, a member of the CBFC, said, "I have no idea why the Examining Committee has asked for the cuts in the first place, considering the panel, led by Shyam Benegal , has categorically made scathing remarks against censorship."

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Ashoke adds, "But looking at it logically, I feel that these are just fabricated news based on presumptions. If the CBFC had cleared the trailer of the film that had enough gaalis and showed everything the film wanted to say, why would they ban it now? The CBFC has a system in place, which every film has to pass to be able to get certified. If the trailer that was released was honest and effective, even the film wouldn't be compromised on."

The movie will be watched by the Appellate Tribunal Committee this week, and there is hope that they will exercise fair judgement. When BT contacted the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Rathore, he assured that there won't be any prejudice. "Our office is still not a party to this issue. The CBFC has recommended revisions and if the makers have any problem with the decision of the Tribunal, then we will intervene," he said.

It was reported that members of Shiromani Akali Dal, the ruling party of Punjab, felt that the film is portraying their state in a bad light. It was also said that the Censor Board refused certification to the film not purely for the explosive content, but due to political reasons.

When asked about the supposed ban of the film in Punjab, Virsa Singh Valtoha, an MLA of the party, said, "The problem of substance abuse is not exclusive to Punjab. To target one particular state amounts to defamation. We don't have any issue with the film and we've never asked for a ban. So far, we've not even watched the movie and we don't plan to do it. If there is any film which holds a mirror to the evils in society, we welcome it. We are just being accused of something that we haven't done. From our side, there is no political agenda of banning the film at all."

Meanwhile, the film's director Abhishek Chaubey and producers are maintaining a strict 'no-comments' stance. However, they are definitely hopeful.

At the music launch of the film, one of the producers of 'Udta Punjab', Vikas Bahl had said, "We would insist the Board to give us an adult certificate. This film has been made for a certain age group and above that. There seems to be fluctuations in some of the decisions of the CBFC, but I think that is just a process. I personally think that the CBFC is coming to a point where, after some time, people will feel that some decisions taken by them are justified. This film is an adult film. We should get an adult certificate. I think everything, if seen in the right context, will get the right judgement."

Director Rahul Dholakia tweeted on this controversy, "Censor censor on the wall, who's the fairest of them all." Well, let's hope the film gets treated fairly all the way."

(Originally published in The Times of India)