Shahid Kapoor starrer ‘Udta Punjab’ focuses on the issue of drug abuse in Punjab, seems to be in trouble as the film has been stopped by the censor board. The film directed by Abhishek Chaubey has stirred up a massive controversy with the Censor Board due to excessive swearing and drug consumption. Udta Punjab speaks of the drug menace in the north Indian state and the trailers make it evident that the characters do a lot of swearing.
The Examining Committee (EC), which is the first leg of the screening process before a certificate is allotted to the makers, saw the film last week. The members had a difference of opinion as some felt the profanities in Udta Punjab, used largely by Shahid Kapoor’s character, aren’t appropriate and demanded cuts. A DNA report, quoting a source, said the EC wanted as many as 40 cuts. According to sources, the cuts demanded by Censor Board include a number of expletives, a song and several visuals of substance abuse.
The cuts weren’t acceptable to the film’s production house — Phantom and Balaji Motion Pictures, who were okay with an ‘Adult’ certificate as long as the film was left as it is.
The makers now have the option of going to Revising Committee. If the RC also recommends major cuts that are not acceptable to the film’s producer, then they can move to Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), a Board that operates out of New Delhi.