Unless you’ve been living under a metaphorical rock, you must be aware how the makers of Udta Punjab and the CBFC (colloquially called the ‘Censor Board’) are involved in some tug of war over the release of the film. The Pahlaj Nihalani-led CBFC initially wanted 89 cuts in the theatrical print. Now they want 13 cuts in the film. The makers, and most the country, are against any such cuts.
So, the filmmakers asked the Bombay High Court to intervene. As you’ll find out, that was a great move.
India Today journalist Shilpa Rathnam live tweeted the response of the HC and, owing to their absolutely savage responses her twitter timeline has now gone viral.
CBFC vs Udta Punjab: CBFC says “Till Tommy is a drug addict we understand he can cuss, why is he cussing after he reforms as well?” 😂😂
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
CBFC: We were told film is in Hindi, but both Hindi and Punjabi are spoken. Judge: Are you saying you ordered cuts without understanding?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: Give the film a certificate, what is the need for cuts?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: Audiences are direct and open today. People born after 1980 are very mature. So why are you worried?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge to CBFC: For action to be taken you need to provoke. Multiplex audiences are discerning. How can you decide which word’s right/wrong?
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: Film industry is not made of glass that you need to “handle with care.” If you ask for so many cuts why is the point? Audience knows.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
The CBFC totally walked into this one –
Judge: It comes down to only one question, does the film glorify drugs?
CBFC: YesJudge: Then why have you not banned the film?— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Judge: CBFC should only certify, not censor. The public is the biggest censor. CBFC doesn’t need to censor.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
He even mothered them by reminding them of their past in-competencies
Judge: Has CBFC discharged its functions from 1952 onwards with utmost care? We are fed up of all this.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
There’s a good chance that finally there’ll only be one cut in the film
The one cut is of Tommy (Shahid Kapoor) urinating and the makers of Udta Punjab have agreed to remove the scene.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
In the end, the Judge summed it up pretty well
Judge: We want creative people to survive and the industry to survive. You have to show the reality.
— Shilpa Rathnam (@shilparathnam) June 10, 2016
Bravo, Justice Dharmadhikari!
