Censor board’s objections unwarranted: Udta Punjab makers tell HC

The producers of the film Udta Punjab on Thursday told the Bombay high court that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’s objections to the film are primarily “unwarranted, arbitrary, and not based on any regulations.”

Appearing for the producers, senior advocate Ravi Kadam told HC that the film was based on the drug problem rampant in Punjab and the rest of India. He argued that much of the plot is based in Punjab as it portrays how drugs are smuggled from Pakistan into India through the border state of Punjab.

“Thus, Punjab is integral and essential to the plot and we can’t remove the word from the title and we can’t delete references to the state as it will take away from the essence of the film,” Kadam said.

He also said that the film did not portray any objectionable material or nudity. He further said that the drug menace in Punjab and the rest of India is a reality and the film is only bringing it to light. The film, Kadam argued, doesn’t intend to affect the state’s sovereignty.

Besides, he argued, the audience today was “matured enough to not get depraved by references to drugs, and words like chittave that means a white powder, in the film’s songs.” HC will continue the hearing at 3pm.