UPDATE: The release of the controversial drug drama Udta Punjab has been postponed in the UAE and the GCC, claims an industry source. The film was due to release in the UAE on June 16.
When tabloid! contacted the National Media Council, the body that approves films for release in the UAE, on Monday morning, they said that a decision about that film is yet to be made.
“We haven’t certified it yet. We are watching the film again and we will be doing so in the afternoon,” said Juma Obaid Al Leem, director of the Media Content Tracking Department at the NMC.
Udta Punjab has been granted an ‘A’ certificate with 13 cuts, said Indian censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani, adding that the film’s makers were never asked to drop Punjab from the title.
He said now the ball is in the producers’ court.
“Whether they are going to the court or tribunal, and what decision is the court giving, that’s for them to see. The producer claimed that we had asked for change in the title, but we never asked them for it. The producer went to the media for publicity,” he added.
Co-produced by Phantom Films, partly-owned by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, and Balaji Motion Pictures, Udta Punjab stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor, and tackles the drug menace in the North Indian state of Punjab.
Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, the film was scheduled to release on June 17 in India, and June 16 in the UAE.
The film has been in news ever since it came to light that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had demanded 89 cuts. Kashyap then condemned Nihalani for his dictatorial ways, and took the case to the Bombay High Court, which is due to give its verdict later on Monday.
Directors weren’t to kicked about the CBFC decision early Monday.
“Why is everyone running the “CBFC clears Udta Punjab with 13 cuts” story like breaking news? It means nothing,” tweeted Neeraj Ghaywan, the critically-acclaimed director of Masaan.
Cinemas in the UAE on Sunday said Udta Punjab would release as scheduled this week. The National Media Council, which approves films releasing in the Emirates, said it would make a decision on Monday.
