Udta Punjab row escalates, Anurag Kashyap calls censor chief ‘ oligarch’

Kashyap calls censor chief ‘ oligarch’ as film fraternity slams board

While the drug- themed film Udta Punjab seems to be staring at a prospect of a delayed release amid speculations that the censor board’s revising committee has suggested 89 cuts and removal of all references to the state of Punjab, including from its title, its co- producer Anurag Kashyap, who has had run- ins with the Central Board of Film Certification ( CBFC) in the past, on Tuesday described board’s chief Pahlaj Nihalani as an “oligarch” and a “dictator”.

Mr Kashyap vented his anger through social media amid raging speculations that the movie, which is scheduled to release on June 17, may face delays owing to the apparent suggestions by the board’s revising committee, even though the producers are yet to get an official letter from the authorities.

Attacking CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, Mr Kashyap called him an “oligarch” and a “dictator” and that it was like living in North Korea.

Mr Kashyap’s frustration may seem justified, considering the fact that his very first directorial venture Paanch faced censor trouble in 2001, owing to its graphic depiction of violence and usage of abusive language. Though it was cleared later by the CBFC after a year- long battle, the film remains unreleased till date owing to financial troubles of its producers.

Udta Punjab, directed by Abhishek Chaubey, delves into how the youth in Punjab have succumbed to drugs. The controversy surrounding the film has also unleashed political sparring, prompting Mr Kashyap to ask parties to stay away from the censorship row. Punjab goes to polls next year.

The makers of the film are said to have been asked by the revising committee of the censor board to remove all references to Punjab and to make 89 cuts.

Mr Kashyap got the support of several filmmakers, including Karan Johar, Mahesh Bhatt, Ram Gopal Varma and Mukesh Bhatt. “It is a dark day for freedom of expression and creativity in the country,” Mukesh Bhatt said, calling Nihalani a “stooge” of the government.

The Bombay Velvet director took to Twitter to vent his ire and said there is no sense of freedom. “I always wondered what it felt like to live in North Korea... Ab to plane pakadney ki bhi zaroorat nahin...,” he posted on Twitter.

“I request Congress, AAP and other political parties to stay out of my battle. It’s my Rights Vs the Censorship. I speak only on my behalf.”

He says his fight is not against the censor board. “It’s my fight vs a dictatorial man sitting there operating like an oligarch in his constituency of censor board, that’s my North Korea,” he said.

“Rest of you go pick your own fights. I will fight mine. So please don’t colour my fight with any political affiliation because there is none.” The movie is produced by Mr Kashyap’s Phantom Films and Ekta Kapoor- led Balaji Films.