Speaking at a press conference in Ludhiana, actor Aamir Khan told reporters: "I am not sure whether it was a CBFC copy. But if it's a censor copy then it's a shame on CBFC, it reflects very badly on them. Piracy is an issue, which we all have been fighting for a very long time. I am quite excited about the film and eagerly waiting for it. It's a good decision by the Bombay High Court. I will be watching it here because I am shooting now."
Earlier Mr Khan had tweeted:
Let's support free speech. Let's watch Udta Punjab only in theatres. Don't let pirates and piracy win. Love. a.
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) June 16, 2016
Bollywood celebrities spoke up against piracy. In their tweets, Shahid, Alia, filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Arjun Kapoor also mentioned that the video available on torrents contains a virus.
Here's what celebrities wrote on social media:
On Facebook, Udta Punjab co-producer Anurag Kashyap wrote:
Blood and sweat of many in this film. It's been your battle as much as ours. Now is the time you can show it. Watch UdtaPunjab in theatres
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 15, 2016
Not illegally through piracy. Let's see how many of you do the right thing cause it's the right thing. For no personal gain.
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 15, 2016
Just out of goodness and love.
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 15, 2016
It's a film from the heart made for you all. And now it's in your hands. #piracydimaadi make it count you all. love and gratitude.#letitfly
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 15, 2016
And for those who have no conscience welcome to the #udtavirus most links will make your phone crash #piracydimaadi
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 15, 2016
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 15, 2016
Guys please please do not waste 2 years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears.. Please watch #UdtaPunjab in only in theatres..
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) June 15, 2016
It's the worst feeling to know that your film has been messed with before hand & your computer will be attacked with a virus if you do try..
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) June 15, 2016
It's a genuine request from the bottom of my heart. That's all I can say. Until then see you at the theatres #piracydimaadi
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) June 15, 2016
Please watch #UdtaPunjab in the cinema this weekend! Don't succumb to online leaks!! An honest film needs an honest audience....#LetItFly
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) June 15, 2016
Viruses in the #UdtaPunjab links! Anyone downloading it will have a virus attack!! What a way to combat this awful piracy! #piracydimaadi
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) June 15, 2016
At a press conference in Mumbai on Thursday, Karan Johar told reporters that it would be “illegal” to watch Udta Punjab online.
"I would request all, please do not watch the leaked film online. Filmmakers make the films with a lot of hardwork, passion and energy and to watch it on any other format other than the format that it was designed to be is incorrect, illegal. Please watch it in cinema halls and not online,” said Mr Johar.
Shocking how #UdtaPunjab has been leaked online. That too a censor copy. A lot of hard work goes into making a film pls say NO to piracy!
— Sonakshi Sinha (@sonakshisinha) June 16, 2016
Films are made with the hard work & passion of everyone involved in creating them. Please don't support piracy.
— Shraddha Kapoor (@ShraddhaKapoor) June 16, 2016
Please watch #UdtaPunjab in the cinema this weekend! Don't succumb to online leaks!! An honest film needs an honest audience....#LetItFly
— Bipasha Basu (@bipsluvurself) June 15, 2016
By making #UdtaPunjab available online,they have ensured that everyone watches the film they wanted to ban #sostupid #canteven
— RichaChadha (@RichaChadha_) June 15, 2016
First 'Sairat' & now 'UdtaPunjab' - what's with the censor copy leaks????
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) June 15, 2016
Movie theatres r filled with dreams and entertainment,don't kill them ! say no to piracy #UdtaPunjab at a theatre near u
— Sidharth Malhotra (@S1dharthM) June 16, 2016
Viruses in the Udta Punjab online leaked links that crashes systems !!!What a way to fight this disgusting menace !!! #PiracyDiMaaDi'
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) June 15, 2016
A big #dishoom to the Pirates. Go watch #UdtaPunjab only in the theatre https://t.co/kdB13kaaVe
— Varun JUNAID dhawan (@Varun_dvn) June 15, 2016
Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab recently won a battle with the Censor Board after the Bombay High Court ruled that the film be released with a single cut on June 17. Co-produced by Phantom Films and Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Motion Pictures, Udta Punjab stars Shahid as a drug addicted rockstar and Alia as a Bihari migrant. The movie deals with the issue of drug abuse in Punjab and features Kareena Kapoor as a doctor and Diljit Dosanjh as a cop.
