The verdict comes with a lot of responsibility: Vikas Bahl

The Bombay High Court’s verdict has given the Udta Punjab team enough reason for celebration. But without wasting any time, the film’s cast and crew recently held a press conference to thank the media and the film fraternity for their support.

The event saw the film’s leads Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh share their views on the controversy along with the makers Vikas Bahl and Anurag Kashyap and director Abhishek Chaubey.

An elated Vikas Bahl started off proceedings and said, “The verdict yesterday has been fantastic for all of us and we thank the court for that. But the verdict comes with a lot of responsibility. Now there is freedom to make or say what we want. But we have to become more responsible and it is on our shoulder to ensure that we will do right by this freedom so that it stays with us forever and will not be taken away from us.”

Anurag, who arrived a little late to the press conference said, “We fought the battle and we got such amazing support this time. The support came from Ekta, Phantom, from the entire industry and the media. This wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s support. There were a few who doubted our intentions and accused us of doing it for publicity. But I don’t think I have seen this kind of support ever before.”

Shahid, who has maintained his silence on the controversy so far expressed, “Anybody who is speaking on our behalf is representing the entire team. At times, when actors come to the forefront, the focus gets shifted. So it was a team decision to appoint certain individuals to speak on everyone’s behalf. Alia and I are still new to issues such as censorship. So we chose to do it in as balanced a way as we can.”

On her part, the film’s female lead Alia Bhatt said, “When I heard about the cuts that were suggested I wasn’t able to understand so I immediately asked my father. He has been fighting censorship for the longest time and he was so sure that we will come out victorious. And now I am very happy about the fact that we can see the film release.”