Punjab reference doesn’t affect India's sovereignty: HC on Udta Punjab row

The court said that 'mere references, signboards of Punjab etc do not affect sovereignty and integrity of India'.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday rapped the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for the cuts it ordered in the film 'Udta Punjab', saying ‘mere references, signboards of Punjab does not affect sovereignty and integrity of India.’

A Division Bench of Justices SC Dharmadhikari and Shalini Phansalkar Joshi heard the plea filed by Udta Punjab's co-producer Phantom Films against 89 cuts suggested by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in the movie.

Explaining that the movie delves into how the youth in Punjab have succumbed to drugs, Ameet Naik (representing Udta Pubjab) said, -"It is the freedom of creative artists to offend and they should be allowed to offend.-"

The Court observed, -"Creative freedom envisages presentation and choice of words. Hence the attempt is not to discourage making of films. Board has to ensure drugs not glamourised.-"

The movie courted a major controversy after it ran into trouble with the CBFC, with officials reportedly demanding 89 cuts in it and the removal of the word 'Punjab' from the title.

Addressing the same, Bombay HC said that CBFC must exercise its powers consistently in consonance with constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech.

The judge said, -"The title contains the word Punjab, so there is no need to delete scene of a sign board showing Punjab.-"

'Udta Punjab' stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh.

(THIS STORY ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON DECCAN CHRONICLE)