UDTA PUNJAB is an Indian crime thriller about the drug problems in Punjab. It features mega stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh and is produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and Phantom Films, two production houses known for edgy, offbeat movies.
When it was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification, however, the producers were told the movie would get an "A" (adult) rating, and they would still have to make a staggering 89 CUTS, including all swear words, all shots of drugs, and incredibly, all indications that the movie was set in Punjab. Even the title would have to be changed. The reasoning was that the movie showed Punjab in "a bad light".
The producers (including Cannes darling Anurag Kashyap) took the case to the Bombay High Court, which, in a landmark ruling, decided that the CBFC's job is to CERTIFY movies, not CENSOR them. They ordered the movie to be certified for release in 48h. The judges suggested only that a scene where the character Tommy Singh, a drug-addicted rocker, is pissing in front of a crowd (shot from the back), be cut.
In the end, the CBFC was only partially defeated. The movie was cleared for release with 13 cuts. The official trailer has been removed from YouTube because it featured scenes that were cut (including the now-infamous pissing scene).
And here's the clincher. 48 hours before hitting theaters, the movie mysteriously made its way to torrenting sites. The copy contains a "for censor" watermark. Some suggest that the CBFC leaked it to damage the movie's box office returns, in retaliation for the hit it took from the Bombay HC. (They deny). The producers have already filed a complaint with the Mumbai Cyber Crime Cell.
Our lives begin to end the day we begin to reman silent about things that matter - UDTA PUNJAB matters because it looks at truth in the eye.
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) 17 de junho de 2016
"Go to the cinema and watch the film." #KatrinaKaif#UdtaPunjabpic.twitter.com/Seq5g8xNNg
— Katrina Kaif Daily (@KatKaifDaily) 16 de junho de 2016
Much love and luck to the #UdtaPunjab team.. And Movies should be watched in the theatres & don't let Piracy win
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) 16 de junho de 2016
Let's support free speech. Let's watch Udta Punjab only in theatres. Don't let pirates and piracy win. Love. a.
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) 16 de junho de 2016
Guys please please do not waste 2 years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears.. Please watch #UdtaPunjab in only in theatres..
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) 15 de junho de 2016
Blood and sweat of many in this film. It's been your battle as much as ours. Now is the time you can show it. Watch UdtaPunjab in theatres
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) 15 de junho de 2016
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please see this movie in theaters to support the producers and to support free speech. It's made by and stars some really great artists and it's getting rave reviews
