Drugs. Politics. An alleged attempt to cover up the truth. It has the makings of a movie, but this is the drama that has been playing out in India in real life this week, as members of the Bollywood filmmaking industry take on the country’s censor board over the release of the film Udta Punjab. Here’s a look at what’s behind the drama.
What is the film about?
Udta Punjab is a drama directed by Abhishek Chaubey about the rampant drug abuse problem in the north Indian state of Punjab. It stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor Khan, and at first the biggest drama came from photos of Kapoor and Kapoor Khan — who once dated — acting distant during promotions for the film. “If I and Kareena click pictures together, then people will just write about it and keep talking about it,” said Kapoor later.
How did the controversy begin?
The film, which is scheduled to release in India on July 17 (July 16 in the UAE) went to the Central Board For Film Certification (CBFC), which regulates the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952, for review. Reports emerged on May 28 that the film had been banned, but Anurag Kashyap — the film’s co-producer and an acclaimed director in his own right — denied a ban, saying “due process is on”. “A film is banned only when examining, revising and [Film Certification Appellate Tribunal] FCAT — all three refuse certificate. And then you fight it out in Supreme Court. 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. For the record, Udta Punjab is not banned. The examining committee has deferred the decision to revising and due process is on,” he tweeted. Yet rumours persisted — including one that the CBFC had ordered all references to Punjab to be removed from the film — which is set in Punjab.
Why did the situation escalate?
The filmmakers complain that the CBFC is playing a delaying tactic. On Monday, CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani claimed that the committee report — identifying the cuts necessary — was ready on Monday but that the filmmakers did not collect it. However, on Wednesday, Kashyap denied Nihalani’s claim and said the report reached them only on Wednesday afternoon — after they moved the High Court. The cast and crew of the film then held a press conference, calling for Nihalani’s resignation.
Who is Pahalaj Nihalani?
Many in the Bollywood film industry have accused of Nihalani, the CBFC chairman, of being a government stooge. A Bollywood producer who made a campaign video for Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, he was appointed in January this year, and the last sixth months have seen a steady stream of complaints about censorship of films, from the likes of Aamir Khan, Vishal Bharwaj, Hansal Mehta and Kamal Haasan.
Early on, Nihalaj attempted to revive a 2003 order to ban a list of 28 objectionable words, including “Bombay” in films (it was never enacted). Then, in a move that drew guffaws from around the world, 50 per cent of the kissing scenes in James Bond film Spectre were cut. “The committee which was to certify the film thought some of the kissing scenes were too long,” said a source familiar with the application to the censors.
Is this a political issue?
While Nihalani has cheerfully admitted to being Modi’s “chamcha”, he says there’s no political motive in the cuts that have been ordered. Indian media begs to differ, highlighting that the ruling regional group in Punjab, the Akali Dal, has been accused of providing patronage and shelter to Punjab’s drug mafia in return for money. Modi’s Hindu nationalist BJP is an ally of the regional group, and elections are due to take place in the state later this year. Nihalani also accused Kashyap of taking money from the Aam Aadmi political party.
