Bombay High Court to give final verdict on Udta Punjab on June 13

Earlier we reported that Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ordered over 90 cuts for Anurag Kashyaps upcoming film Udta Punjab. The cuts ordered were for the high use of abusive language, drug abuse scenes and references of Punjab in the film. Since then, Udta Punjab team is fighting to get the film released without any cuts.

Anurag Kashyap decided to move Bombay High Court after Pahlaj Nihalani accused the co-producer of the film to have taken bribe from a political party to defame the state. At the hearing, CBFC claimed that the film is focusing on drug menace and they are trying to defame Punjab. During the hearing, the CBFC lawyer informed the court that the words used in the songs of the film are very offensive. They also said that the scenes ordered to be cut from film are vulgar. They added that there are number of references to Punjab and MLA in the film that defames the state.

To this, HC called out Pahlaj Nihalani and CBFC team saying, "The word censor is not anywhere in the act. Your power is to certify films for public exhibition." HC also asked as to why they havent banned the film yet if it is glorifying drugs. They also said that viewers discretion should be trusted and they should leave it to people. The court observed that audience is very mature now and films wont get ruined due to language.

Bombay High Court will pronounce its final verdict on Monday, June 13.