Director Rohit Shetty says that the Indian censor board has no right to ask the makers of Udta Punjab to remove ‘Punjab’ and other words from the film.
“It’s become [a big] problem... there was no need [for some objections], like removing Punjab, [they] can’t say ministers... and you can’t take names of certain places... it is not fair,” Shetty said.
“The rule states that [the] censor board should react only after a political party or an organisation raises objection. Has anyone sent them any letter? Without the letter they don’t have the right to remove Punjab from the title. Will the producer and director release it as Udta?” he added.
Shetty, the director of the Golmaal series, All The Best and Dilwale, was speaking at a World No Tobacco Day 2016 event in Mumbai.
Udta Punjab’s makers have been at loggerheads with the censor board after the board suggested numerous cuts to the film.
“The team who made the film and those who invested money in the film, what they might be going through I can understand as a producer and a director. The movie was supposed to release on [June 17] and according to the rules if they don’t get the certificate by tomorrow [June 12] or a day after, they won’t be able to release the film.”
A number of producers came together last week to protest the issue in a press conference, and even demanded the removal of Central Board of Film Certification Chief Pahlaj Nihalani.
“It has always been happening with us. The industry needs to come together and solve this problem once and for all. It will take time. Gradually people have started raising their voice and people are being heard,” Shetty added.
