Amidst raging controversy on Udta Punjab and the Censor Board’s attempts to stall its release has taken another controversial turn.
On Tuesday, Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal extended his support for the film in its fight against the Censor Board, predominantly led by supporters of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
But, Kejriwal’s support was immediately rejected by the film producer, Anurag Kashyap, who asked both AAP and Congress to leave him alone as it was his fight.
It all started with Kashyap’s tweet, “There is no film more honest than UDTA PUNJAB .. And any person or party opposing it is actually GUILTY of promoting drugs.”
Kejriwal shared Kashyap’s tweet with his comments, “I completely agree.”
I completely agree. https://t.co/qLLfkMjPvL
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 7, 2016
This prompted Kashyap to post a series of tweets making it abundantly clear that he wasn’t keen in receiving any support from either AAP or the Congress.
In his next few tweets, Kashyap said, “I request Congress, AAP and other political parties to stay out of my battle. It’s my Rights vs the Censorship.
“I speak only on my behalf. t’s my fight Vs a dictatorial man sitting there operating like an oligarch in his constituency of censor board, that’s my North Korea. Rest of you go pick your own fights. I will fight mine.So please don’t colour my fight with any political affiliation because there is none.”
I request Congress, AAP and other political parties to stay out of my battle. It's my Rights vs the Censorship. I speak only on my behalf
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016
It's my fight Vs a dictatorial man sitting there operating like an oligarch in his constituency of censor board, that's my North Korea
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016
It's my fight Vs a dictatorial man sitting there operating like an oligarch in his constituency of censor board, that's my North Korea
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016
Rest of you go pick your own fights. I will fight mine.
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016
So please don't colour my fight with any political affiliation because there is none.
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016
Punjab is currently government by the BJP and Akali Dal and there are allegations that the Censor Board has acted swiftly against the film at the behest of the centre’s BJP government.
The movie explores the growing menace of drugs, which the Akali-BJP combine fear will hurt them in the next year’s assembly elections.