The Bombay High Court ordered the censor board to clear Udta Punjab with just one cut and issue a fresh ‘A’ certificate to the movie.
The film, which is set to release on June 17, conveys a strong social message about the drug abuse menace in the State of Punjab and features Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh.
Originally the censor board ordered over 30 cuts to the film before it would clear it for release. Anurag Kashyap took the case all the way to the High Court to fight to keep his movie in tact.
The HC in their decision wrote, “It is undisputed that the CBFC possesses powers to call for cuts, changes, deletions in a movie while certifying it. However, in the present case, the CBFC-imposed restrictions were not correct. The movie has to be seen as a whole and it is not permissible to take the characters, scenes and songs in isolation and out of context.”
At hearing the verdict, Shahid Kapoor who plays a rockstar addicted to drugs in the film tweeted: “Landmark judgement #UdtaPunjab will fly and so will the voice of freedom and expression. Thank you all for the support. This is your victory”
Alia Bhatt who plays a rape victim and drug dealer in the film tweeted, “And FINALLY #udtapunjab will flyyyyy!! Here’s to freedom of expression, to our judiciary, to the industry, to the media and to YOU ALL!!”
Aniket Kawade, Co-founder Grand Showbiz Media said: “As the International distributor of the film, we welcome this landmark judgement from the High Court. It has been a gruelling few weeks to get here but we are happy to bring the film in its true form to NRI audiences worldwide”.
Director Abhishek Chaubey said, “I am relieved and I salute the courage of my producers.”
Anurag Kashyap wrote, “Thank you To the honourable Judge, thank you all for the faith and support.. Time to get back to work..”
Udta Punjab opens this Friday!
