Udta Punjab finds support from TV actors Aasif Sheikh, Raj Singh Arora and Kritika Kamra

The ban on Udta Punjab has made even celebrities from the TV industry see red.

By Urmimala Banerjee
Published: June 8, 2016 8:42 PM IST

It looks like this hijack on creative freedom has irked everyone in the entertainment industry

Udta Punjab made news right from the day the trailer was launched. Highlighting the issue of drug abuse in Punjab, the film faced the ire of CBFC chief, Pahlaj Nihalani. The head honcho has said the film will be banned unless they drop the Punjab reference from the film or abide by the 89 cuts suggested by him. If that was not all, he said that Anurag Kashyap took money from Aam Aadmi Party to defame the state of Punjab and that is an accusation, which has irked the entire film fraternity. Also Read - Alia Bhatt wants to be cast in a film with Kareena Kapoor Khan, shares pics to make a gorgeous case for the same

CBFC board member and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit has also come down heavily on Nihalani for his statements on Kashyap. He said, “We condemn and demand an apology from Pahlaj. It’s an insult not just to Anurag or the film but to the entire film industry. He needs to apologise to everyone at the earliest.” Anurag too who was present at the press con said, “I have not taken any money. I do not talk to Pahlaj. This is a fight of freedom of expression. One person cannot decide the morality of our country. The way Nihlani is acting towards this is very stressful and this is because of the attitude of the person sitting there.” Also Read - Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai: Shubhangi Atre aka Angoori Bhabhi quitting the show? Here's the truth

Udta Punjab is a joint collaboration between Balaji Motion Pictures and Phantom. It stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Diljit Dosanjh and Kareena Kapoor Khan in main roles. A number of TV actors have also tweeted their support for the film. Also Read - Dahaad actress Sonakshi Sinha rejected these big films that could have been highs in her career

Creative expression should not be subdued by political agendas when social issues are being highlighted for the greater good #udtapunjab

— Aasif Sheikh (@iaasifsheikh) June 8, 2016

Sir @anuragkashyap72 if you decide to keep a screening of #UdtaPunjab not Butchered by the Censors,can i plz have one pass to see the film.

— Raj Singh Arora (@rajsingharora26) June 7, 2016

Through History, evolution of a civilisation has always been = the evolution of its art. Here we are, clipping wings. #UdtaPunjabCensored

— Meghna Gulzar (@meghnagulzar) June 7, 2016

Now furiously working day & night on a .. Sindhi film .. Which shows only birds & flowers pecking.. Great cinema!! #UdtaPunjabCensored

— Sneha Rajani (@SnehaRajani) June 6, 2016

कुछ ही आयाम रह गए थे काली कड़वी स्याह में लिखित होने से,
अब वो सवेरे भी नहीं बचे राजनीति के घनघोर अंधेरे से।#UdtaTeer

— Mister Chang (@MeiyangChang) June 8, 2016

I soooo agree and wish this protocol comes in order. #nocensor https://t.co/iJv5Rng0Hb

— Karan V Grover (@karanvgrover22) June 8, 2016

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ByUrmimala Banerjee
Published: June 8, 2016 8:42 PM IST