Director Abhishek Choubey’s Udta Punjab, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor and Alia Bhatt has not been ‘banned’, tweeted Anurag Kashyap, the producer of the film.
For the record ,”Udta Punjab” is not banned. The examining committe has deferred the decision to Revising and due process is on.
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016
And due process takes it own time so please abstain for spreading a BAN rumour. There is nothing to speak on the subject as of now.
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016
A film is banned only when examining, revising and FCAT all three refuse certificate . And then you fight it out in Supreme Court
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016
According to a Mint report, the censor board had refused to give a clearance to the movie, thanks to its excessive use of expletives and scenes showing drug consumption. Subsequently, there were media reports stating that the film was ‘banned’ in the country.
Udta Punjab revolves around the drug abuse among Punjab’s youth. According to a FirstPost report, the Board had ordered more than 40 cuts for Udta Punjab. Reportedly, the scenes that the board found issue with include visuals of substance abuse and a song sequence.
In Udta Punjab, Shahid Kapoor plays rockstar Tommy Singh, who is a drug addict, and Alia plays a Bihari migrant. Kareena Kapoor Khan plays a young doctor fighting the illegal transportation of drugs in the region, and Diljit Dosanjh portrays a police officer.