The Udta Punjab controversy has probably reached the epitome of dispute after the CBFC chief said that he had ‘heard’ that Anurag Kashyap was bribed to show Punjab under a bad light by a political party.
“It is unfortunate that we have to justify our integrity and honesty as film makers. This is a fight for freedom of expression. Not just a political film, sex comedies shouldn’t be censored either,” said Anurag Kashyap.
At a press conference in Mumbai, various personalities from Bollywood, Imtiaz Ali, Ekta Kapoor, Alia Bhatt Mahesh Bhatt, Zoya Akhtar, Abhishek Chaubey Mukhesh Bhatt, Anand L Rai and Shahid Kapoor joined Anurag to show their support. Joining them was CBFC member, Ashoke Pandit, who is seldom in support of his own boss, the infamous CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani.
Look at what they all had to say.
I appeal to the Ministry to remove Nihalani, he doesn’t deserve to be the CBFC chief: Mukhesh Bhatt #UdtaNihalani https://t.co/k5cnE5T2yj
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 8, 2016
As Anurag said we don’t need a stamp of approval from anyone: Imtiaz Ali #UdtaNihalani https://t.co/afASQrxAy3
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 8, 2016
We demand an apology from Pahlaj Nihalani: Ashok Pandit #UdtaNihalani https://t.co/5Qwxtpyevh
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 8, 2016
We live in the age of information & technology, and youth have right to be informed: Shahid Kapoor #UdtaNihalani https://t.co/ckYC2pkb8Z
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 8, 2016
We are going to stand up for what is right & what is rightfully ours: Abhishek Chaubey #UdtaNihalani https://t.co/LZVa5siOLI
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 8, 2016
We can’t turn into a Saudi Arabia where there is opulence but no free thought: Mahesh Bhatt #UdtaNihalani https://t.co/DiyI8qAOwH
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 8, 2016
CBFC is in denial of what is going on: Zoya Akhtar #UdtaCensor
— IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) June 8, 2016
Families have lost their youth to easy drugs and lack of rehabs in the state: Comedian Kapil Sharma #UdtaNihalani https://t.co/1zYvZ4kwlA
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 8, 2016
The Aam Aadmi Party, also took a stand on the matter and said they had no affiliation with Anurag Kashyap.
Pahlaj Nihalani doesn’t even have credentials to become the peon of Censor Board: @AashishKhetan #UdtaCensor
— IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) June 8, 2016
Nihalani has been making third grade films, he became CBFC chief because he considers Modiji as his action hero: @AashishKhetan #UdtaCensor
— IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) June 8, 2016
It is clear that Pahlaj Nihalani has been told by Modi govt and Akali govt to stop the release of #UdtaPunjab: @AashishKhetan #UdtaCensor
— IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) June 8, 2016
