Hours before release, a copy of Udta Punjab was leaked online on certain file-sharing websites.
Highlights
- Udta Punjab was leaked online hours before release
- Akali Dal, which criticised film before release, calls for probe
- Akali Dal says there may be a political motive behind leaking film
As they fend off efforts to dampen the theatrical run of their film which has been leaked online, makers of the film
Udta Punjab have found support from an unusual corner - the state's ruling party Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD.
Among vocal critics of the film before its release, which it said would dent the state's image, SAD today sought a probe into how the film was leaked online.
"We support the demand for an inquiry into the piracy of film
Udta Punjab and we consider it an abominable and shameful act. We fully stand by film industry whose tireless creativity and financial resources are sought to be laid waste by unethical acts like piracy," party's spokesperson and general secretary Harcharan Bains said in a statement.
He said that the release of the copy of
Udta Punjab apparently sent to the censor board for approval needs to be seen in the context of claims by Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh that he would screen the entire film, uncensored, in villages of Punjab.
"Captain Amarinder Singh needs to come clean on the piracy of
Udta Punjab. He, his Congress and AAP are the only ones who have been talking of showing this film uncensored to people. They owe an explanation to film makers and viewers alike," Mr Bains said.
He said it needs to be investigated if the film was leaked and made easily accessible for political reasons.
"There appears to be more than commercial mischief behind this act of piracy against
Udta Punjab. It is the more serious as someone seems to have purposely leaked the version with a clearly ulterior political motive", he added.