The censorship issue surrounding the movie has taken an ugly turn as it is said to have become a political issue now. The censor board and the tribunal wanted the filmmakers to drop the usage of the worrd 'Punjab' in the film - a move that has driven the Twitterati crazy.
The film, titled Udta Punjab is based on drug abuse in the state, was referred to a panel called the Revising Committee after the Censor Board refused to clear it for release without cuts because it features "excessive swearing."
After ordering more than 89 cuts along with beeping 35 cuss words in Udta Punjab, the Revising Committee then wanted the movie to be set in a fictional land rather than Punjab.
Sources close to the censor board said in a statement. "The censor board is apparently under political pressure as Punjab elections are going to take place early next year. Hence, releasing the film with the existing content might prove adverse to the political parties,"
The ruling Akali Dal is adamant that the movie should not be released without removing the reference to Punjab, as it refers to the state as the den of drugs. But apparently producer Anurag Kashyap doesn't want to remove Punjab from the movie.
However, Udta Punjab is scheduled for release on June 17. The movie stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Singer Diljit Dosanjh. Shahid plays a role of a rockstar Tommy Singh; Kareena is a doctor, Alia, a Bihari migrant and Diljit is a cop.
Also read: This Shahid Kapoor selfie is Bollywood's best 'Say NO to drugs' message
Readers on social media have gone crazy over the report asking for the removal of any mention of Punjab from the film.
Check out the tweets here: