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'Udta Punjab' is not "banned" anywhere. CBFC asked them to make a huge number of cuts including those you mention in order to get an 'A' certificate. The produc

by kranner 10y ago

'Udta Punjab' is not "banned" anywhere. CBFC asked them to make a huge number of cuts including those you mention in order to get an 'A' certificate. The producers took them to court and have so far only conceded one cut: depicting the rock star protagonist high and pissing on the audience during a concert. The Bombay High Court has slammed the CBFC (aka 'censor' board) for overreaching reminding them that censorship is not part of their mandate. The official verdict is on Monday but so far it looks like the movie will be passed with no other cuts. Also, there is an appellate tribunal in the CBFC which reverses its decisions on specific cuts for the most part but they weren't invoked in this case because of the shortage of time. So yes, the CBFC did probably do what they did under political pressure but the politicians don't control everything in the end.

FreedomToCreate 10y ago
Fair enough, though it has required the film makers to push back a considerable amount to cause the CBFC to backdown slightly and get reasonable action from the Bombay high court. The fact that politicians can even take this step for censorship demonstrates a weakness in the freedom of speech that citizens of India have.
- kranner 10y ago
  For sure freedom of speech is limited in India, but again the CBFC does not officially defer to political will. That's only on paper of course, as the CBFC head is a political appointee. I wouldn't be surprised if he's asked to step down after this row.
XeO3 10y ago
On other note, "Udta Punjab" may be the first movie to receive A/C (adult with caution) certification as recommended by Shyam Benegal Committee. Source : http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/udta-punjab-row-shyam-benegal-panel-suggests-adult-with-caution-category-2844265/ http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/udt...
- kranner 10y ago
  The article does not seem to say however that A/C may be applicable to Udta Punjab. And A/C is a ridiculous idea: if Benegal actually proposed this I think I've lost a great deal of respect for him. "Only to be screened in red-light areas". Ridiculous.

by kranner 10y ago

FreedomToCreate 10y ago

Fair enough, though it has required the film makers to push back a considerable amount to cause the CBFC to backdown slightly and get reasonable action from the Bombay high court. The fact that politicians can even take this step for censorship demonstrates a weakness in the freedom of speech that citizens of India have.

kranner 10y ago
For sure freedom of speech is limited in India, but again the CBFC does not officially defer to political will. That's only on paper of course, as the CBFC head is a political appointee. I wouldn't be surprised if he's asked to step down after this row.

XeO3 10y ago

On other note, "Udta Punjab" may be the first movie to receive A/C (adult with caution) certification as recommended by Shyam Benegal Committee. Source : http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/udta-punjab-row-shyam-benegal-panel-suggests-adult-with-caution-category-2844265/ http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/udt...

kranner 10y ago
The article does not seem to say however that A/C may be applicable to Udta Punjab. And A/C is a ridiculous idea: if Benegal actually proposed this I think I've lost a great deal of respect for him. "Only to be screened in red-light areas". Ridiculous.