Bollywood slams censorship on 'Udta Punjab'
The Abhishek Chaubey-directed movie, co-produced by Phantom and Balaji Films, deals with the substance abuse in Northern part of the state and its effects on the youth.
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"#UdtaPunjab speaks of the reality of our times...Censoring reality amounts to delusion... The fraternity has to stand by what's right!!" Johar posted on Twitter.
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The strong reactions from the film industry came after the Censor Board purportedly raised certain objections regarding references to Punjab. It has been said the Shahid Kapoor-Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer might have to undergo some changes due to the board's disapproval.
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Sudhir Mishra, who has had his share of run-ins with the board , tweeted, "No film shud be censored. Only be certified. Lot of blood, sweat has gone into the making. But the answer is to make brave films."Â
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Bhatt, whose daughter Alia is playing one of the leads in the film, said censorship is similar to ignorance.
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"Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance". Is Pahalaj Nihalani listening? The Censors says I am the one who says the last sentence on UDTA PUNJAB .The nation can say what it wants our verdict is going to stick. Why should I censor myself to nourish ignorance."Â
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National award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who faced an opposition from the board before the release of his last film Aligarh, said the row surrounding Udta Punjab has made him angry.
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"What is this I'm hearing about #UdtaPunjab? Makes me very, very angry. Can the truth defame a state? #UdtaPunjabCensored Delusion or collusion? Why is the establishment so scared of films that mirror reality? #UdtaPunjabCensored," tweeted an agitated Hansal.
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Actor Ranvir Shorey requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene into the matter.
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"Dear @PMOIndia, please put an end to this constant BLACKMAILING of the film fraternity by the CBFC.
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