Filmmakers unite against censor board; back Udta Punjab -Governance Now

Filmmakers unite against censor board; back Udta Punjab

The film fraternity requests I&B ministry to remove Pahlaj Nihalani as censor board chief

GN Bureau | June 8, 2016

#Pahlaj Nihalani #CBFC #Udta Punjab #Censor Board #Anurag Kashyap #Drugs

The entire film fraternity stood with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap as a controversy raged over his film Udta Punjab. Kashyap produced the film that is based on the drug menace in Punjab. Top Bollywood filmmakers, actors and producers objected to the 89 censor cuts recommended for the film and criticised censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani.

The censor board has also asked the filmmakers to drop 'Punjab' from the title and also delete every reference to the state, politics and elections from it. The film was due for release on June 17. Mukesh Bhatt, head of Film and Television Producers Guild of India, requested the I&B ministry to remove Nihalani from his post for the arbitrary censorship.

Nihalani on Wednesday said that Kashyap has taken money from the Aam Aadmi Party to highlight to drug problem in the state which will go to polls soon.

"Nihalani should prove I have taken money. He does not even know how to lie," said Kashyap.

Here are some of the comments made by noted members of the film fraternity.

We are responsible enough to know what suits our viewers: Anurag Kashyap.

We are filmmakers and we don't need an approval from anyone: Imtiaz Ali.

If the idea is to scare us, let me say that we are not to get scared: Sudhir Mishra

To reject a film or not is the choice of the audience: Anurag Kashyap

Until recently, Pahlaj Nihalani fought shoulder to shoulder with me against censorship: Mahesh Bhatt

It isn't the job of the censor board to snip. And why refuse to acknowledge a problem: Zoya Akhtar
Each time a new information and broadcasting minister is appointed, it gives us a lot of hope. Anurag Kashyap

The year is 2016, we have a globally connected population. All the talk of growth and progress is poppycock if the freedom of our founding fathers is taken away. Do you want to turn India into Saudi Arabia? : Mahesh Bhatt

It is sad that we have to stand here today and justify ourselves. That we have been made to stand for a stamp of approval from the government. We are just filmmakers, didn't know we had to do all this for a film: Anurag Kashyap

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