Bhopal: The censor board has cleared the controversial drug-themed Bollywood film Udta Punjab with 13 cuts under the 'A' category, its chairman Pahlaj Nihalani said on Sunday.
"We have today cleared Udta Punjab under A (restricted for adult audience) category after 13 cuts," Mr Nihalani told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Bhopal.
Mr Nihalani, who is in the eye of a storm over suggesting a large number of cuts in the film, said nine members of the Central Board of Film Certification watched the film and "unanimously" cleared it after the proposed 13 cuts.
"The CBFC's job is now over. It is now up to the producer to go to the court or tribunal. We will implement the order," Mr Nihalani said.
The Abhishek Chaubey-directed film is tentatively scheduled for release on June 17.
The CBFC's revising committee had suggested a number of changes in the movie, which stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor-Khan and Diljit Dosanjh, and deals with the problem of drug addiction among the youth in Punjab.
Responding to a question, Mr Nihalani, who has been criticised by the film fraternity for his "dictatorial attitude" said, "Those who call me cheap are themselves 'ghatia' (lowly)".
Mr Nihalani clarified that he never called himself a "chamcha" (sycophant) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"There is nothing wrong in admiring the Prime Minister. I never said (I am) a chamcha," he said.
The makers of the movie, Phantom Films had approached the Bombay High Court against an order of the revising committee of CBFC that suggested certain changes in the film.
A string of changes proposed included removing a signboard mentioning Punjab and other suggestions.
The High Court had, on Friday, said that the makers of Udta Punjab should tone down expletives and vulgar scenes as these alone cannot make a film work.
A division bench had concluded hearing arguments on the petition and is expected to pass order in the case today.
"We have today cleared Udta Punjab under A (restricted for adult audience) category after 13 cuts," Mr Nihalani told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Bhopal.
Mr Nihalani, who is in the eye of a storm over suggesting a large number of cuts in the film, said nine members of the Central Board of Film Certification watched the film and "unanimously" cleared it after the proposed 13 cuts.
The Abhishek Chaubey-directed film is tentatively scheduled for release on June 17.
Advertisement
Responding to a question, Mr Nihalani, who has been criticised by the film fraternity for his "dictatorial attitude" said, "Those who call me cheap are themselves 'ghatia' (lowly)".
Advertisement
"There is nothing wrong in admiring the Prime Minister. I never said (I am) a chamcha," he said.
Advertisement
A string of changes proposed included removing a signboard mentioning Punjab and other suggestions.
Advertisement
A division bench had concluded hearing arguments on the petition and is expected to pass order in the case today.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Devendra Fadnavis Tackles Opposition's "Udta Punjab" Jibe In Pune Porsche Crash Ahead Of Sonakshi Sinha And Zaheer Iqbal's Wedding, Uncle Pahlaj Nihalani Says, "These Days Children Take Their Own Decisions" Muslim Body Approaches Supreme Court Over Release Of The Kerala Story MK Stalin Asks Centre To Recall Tamil Nadu Governor In Row Over Anthem Delhi Ex Minister Satyendar Jain Leaves Jail, Chief Minister Greets Him Tamil Nadu Police's Counter Petition In Supreme Court Against Sadhguru Harris, Trump Barnstorm Key State Michigan, Where Polls Say They're Tied 2 Brothers Found Dead Amid Rituals In Chhattisgarh: Cops Israel And Iran-Backed Foes Hamas And Hezbollah Vow More War Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.