With exactly nine days to go before release, speculations are its rife that the release of Udta Punjab could be deferred. The revising committee of the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has recommended 89 cuts as the film reportedly has plenty of expletives and also shows the lead actor, Shahid Kapoor indulging in drugs. The revising committee has also suggested that the word 'Punjab' be removed from the title and the film should be based in a fictional land. With the ongoing battle between the makers and the Censor Board, the most pertinent question here is will the film release on its scheduled date - June 17.

Though CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani remained unavailable for comment, a source from the Censor Board, who didn't wish to be named, said, “In his last interview to BT (dated May 29, 2016), didn't Pahlaj Nihalani say that the CBFC's decisions aren't based on interests of any political parties? Any report from the revising committee is based on his judgement of the movie. In this case, it is not the Punjab government's political agenda as we are certain they haven't asked for the film's title to be changed.“ While no one from Balaji Motion Pictures and Phantom Films (the producers of the film), was willing to go on record, a source from the production team tells us that they were supposed to approach the Tribunal along with the CBFC's revising committee's order on Tuesday afternoon.

Vis-à-vis the 89 cuts recommended by the Censor Board, a source from the production house further added, “We understand if a few abusive words or a scene showing an actor consuming drugs is edited. But we don't agree with quite a few cuts and certainly not with the removal of 'Punjab' from the movie's title. It has been announced about a year ago and the promotions have been going on for over a month. So, it's ridiculous for anyone to suggest changing the title barely two weeks before release.“

A source from the examining commitee, which first saw the film, says they had recommended lesser cuts than the revising committee. The source added, “The Censor Board has not asked to remove 'Punjab' from the title. A couple of committee members had objections to the line: 'Punjab ki bhoomi banjar, Punjab ke puttar kanjar', which could be percieved as derogatory to the people of the state.“

The controversy started when the ruling party of Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal, reportedly objected to the film's title and the negative portrayal of the state. However, the party's MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha denied the allegations and said, “We have nothing to do with this controversy. I don't understand why our party is being dragged into this. We have never asked to remove the word 'Punjab' from the film's title. If a film is enlightening the society, we welcome it and would request people to watch it. Even the people of Punjab are intelligent; if there is something objectionable, they will know it is a tactic to defame the state.“

Udta Punjab's tussle with the CBFC is grabbing eyeballs primarily because it is happening just a month after the Shyam Benegal-led panel submitted its recommendations to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. One of the most crucial points raised by the panel was that films shouldn't be cen sored but only graded vis-à vis the target audience.

Benegal reiterated the same point in the light of this issue, too and said, “It wouldn't be fair of me to comment without seeing the film. I will watch it this evening and then will be in a better position to comment.“ In lieu of this, if the tribunal gives its order on Thursday, then the makers will have to execute the changes and submit the final copy for certification. Given that the Board has the weekend off, if the certificate doesn't come in by Friday evening, the makers will be pressed for time as they will need to dispatch the final prints on Monday night.

Till the time of going to press, the panel had not given the producers anything in writing. The movie cannot be sent to the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), unless it has a formal copy of the suggestions. Shazia Ilmi, who is one of the members of FCAT tells us that the makers are yet to file a plea. “It has to be done through a lawyer. Since one of my colleagues Justice Mahajan is abroad, this could take a while. However, our stance stays the same. What's the point of cutting a film after giving it an 'A' certificate? I am a filmmaker, too, and I understand the sensibilities of cinema. We can assure the filmmakers that a wise decision will be taken on this issue. If there are appropriate disclaimers in place, I don't see a reason why there should be a problem.“

When probed on whether the film could be delayed owing to this, she said that can be decided only after the Tribunal has watched it. In most cases, it has been seen that the Appellate has cleared films that have been stuck for various reasons. However, the makers of Udta Punjab are fighting a race against time, as the release of the film is round the corner. The only hope for them right now is that the Appellate passes the verdict by the end of this week. Whether the film will release with the original title remains to be seen. And no matter how this turns out, the film will always be etched in the minds of people as Udta Punjab.

FILMMAKERS ARE ALWAYS WORRIED WHILE MAKING FILMS ON REAL ISSUES
When I made Madras Cafe, I didn't have problems with the Censor Board because there was a different team at that time. I did face problems in releasing the film in Tamil Nadu because it was about the Tamil issue between Sri Lanka and India. In Tamil Nadu, the film didn't release at all. I think the Board has to move on. Cinema and people's minds have grown. I think news channels are much more dangerous than cinema. As filmmakers, we are always worried if we have films on real issues. Look at the US ­ in every second film, they take the name of the US president and talk about what's right and wrong. They name the agencies or the cities. There are many other crass things that the censors need to stop, instead of films on burning issues. Do we stop making realistic films?
-Shoojit Sircar, director, Madras Cafe

UDTA PUNJAB PROJECTS A REALITY WHICH IS OUT IN THE OPEN
There are no CBFC guidelines saying you can't use the name of a city or state. You can't run away from reality. Do you really think the audience is so silly that removing 'Punjab' means they'll think it's some fictional land? If you make it 'Udta Timbuktu,' will people think the film is not about Punjab but Timbuktu? Udta Punjab is projecting a reality which is out in the open. Last year, I was shooting for Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Punjab and everyone was talking about the seriousness of the drug issue in the state. People are discussing it everywhere. You can't just dig a hole like an ostrich and believe no one can see you.
-Kabir Khan, filmmaker