Shahid Kapoor’s film struggle to overcome obstacles.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
It seems like the troubles surrounding upcoming Bollywood movie ‘Udta Punjab’ is not going to end soon. The Censor Board of India, who had earlier suggested a number of cuts in the movie for excessive swearing and language, have now asked the filmmakers to remove all reference to the state of Punjab from the movie.
According to a report in Bollywood Life, a censor board panel has asked the makers to drop Punjab from the movie name, all reference to Punjab and elections from the movie that revolves around the drug abuse in the state.
“A screening for the tribunal was held last Friday. They watched the film and once done, told everyone that they will send their recommendations through a letter on Monday. But they verbally informed the director that they want the word Punjab dropped from the title. Not only that they also want the makers to remove any reference to the state in the film or cities thereof,” Bollywood Life quoted a source as saying.
The censor board panel had suggested about 40 cuts in the film and Anurag Kashyap, one of the producers of the film, had approached the Information and Broadcasting minister to intervene in the issue.
“Udta Punjab may do for Punjab what no one else has been able to do. Tragic if censored. People need to understand Punjab needs to be rescued (sic),” political commentator Sunanda Vashisht was quoted as saying by The Hindustan Times.
The film, starring Shahid Kapoor, as a foul-mouthed rock star who is a drug addict, also has Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor in leading roles.
The censor board of India had attracted criticism for its controversial decision to remove many scenes from James Bond movie Spectre released in 2015. The 2016 sex-comedy, Kya Kool Hain Hum 3, also had the same fate.