The cut-list suggest by the Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani for Anurag Kashyap’s Udta Punjab is out and going by the objections, it’s clear that the objections have been raised out of pure political considerations.
The first disclaimer should be audio/video and changed to; The film focuses on the rising menace of drugs and the war against drugs and is an attempt to show the ill effects of drugs on today’s youths and social fabrics. We acknowledge the battle against drugs being fought by govt and police but it can’t be won unless people of India unite against this menace.”
Read full coverage on Udta Punjab controversy here
The most significant objection by Nihalani, who has claimed to be a flag-bearer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the following whereby he directs the filmmaker to prominently add the disclaimer, “The first disclaimer should be audio/video and changed to; The film focuses on the rising menace of drugs and the war against drugs and is an attempt to show the ill effects of drugs on today’s youths and social fabrics. We acknowledge the battle against drugs being fought by govt and police but it can’t be won unless people of India unite against this menace.”
This will give credence to charges that Nihalani’s objections to a movie exploring the growing menace of drugs under the Akali Dal-BJP rule in Punjab is purely borne out of political reasons.
Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday had alleged that Nihalani was stopping the release of the movie at the instructions of the BJP at the Centre.
Only on Tuesday, the Congress vice president, Rahul Gandhi, too had thrown his weight behind Udta Punjab.
He had tweeted, “Punjab has a crippling drug problem. Censoring #UdtaPunjab will not fix it. The government must accept the reality and find solutions.”
Punjab has a crippling drug problem. Censoring #UdtaPunjab will not fix it. The government must accept the reality and find solutions.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 7, 2016
Among other cuts, as reported by Times Now, are absolutely no reference to Punjab.
1. Cut: Delete the signboard of Punjab in the beginning
2. Delete the name of cities like Punjab, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Tarn Taran and more (All reference of Punjab cities in the dialogues/songs, anywhere in the film should be removed)
3. From Song Number 1: Name of a drug (References to drug nowhere)
4. Words from song 3 (Delete the word ‘Chitta’ from the song)
6. Delete Abuses
7. Delete the word elections, MP, party, Party Worker, MLA, Punjab parliament(No references: no govt rep references (38 mins)
8. Song no:3 Delete the scene of a scratching Sardar.
