'Udta Punjab' Set To Soar, But Has CBFC Learned A Lesson?

After being embroiled in a controversy with Censor Board over the last few days, the makers of ‘Udta Punjab’ can now finally heave a sigh of relief. The Bombay High Court on Monday allowed the makers to release ‘Udta Punjab’ with just one cut and a revised disclaimer. The HC had ordered ‘Udta Punjab’ makers to delete the scene wherein actor Shahid Kapoor is seen urinating in public.

As soon as the much-awaited verdict on the film was pronounced, social networking sites Facebook and Twitter came alive with discussions and quick reactions to the celebration of the victory of free speech.

The hard time that ‘Udta Punjab’ makers had to face in seeking a fair treatment played a key role in having the top filmmakers bat for Anurag Kashyap and stand united and firm in seizing their right to make films and make them in the way they feel is right.

Karan Johar also welcomed the Bombay High Court verdict to allow the film to take flight and to overrule the censor board's suggestion of 13 cuts.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar also echoed the same sentiment.

Actress Sonakshi Sinha hailed the freedom of expression and said the victory wasn’t just meant for one film but for the entire industry.

Soon after almost the entire film fraternity supported their battle against Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani, Shyam Benegal too voiced his opinion. In one of his recent interviews, he referred to ‘Udta Punjab’ as a "very well-made film". Benegal's reaction obviously holds huge significance as he leads the revamp committee, the team that is responsible for implementing changes in the manner the Central Board of Film Certification operates.

The veteran filmmaker also welcomed the Bombay High Court's verdict clearing the release of Udta Punjab, which set aside the cuts suggested by the CBFC. “I think this is a very mature verdict. It's a good verdict. It shows that the court has taken note of the seriousness of the subject as well as the ability of the film to address the subject. Running a disclaimer and cutting out a scene are not a problem for the makers," Benegal said.

Filmmaker filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, who had rooted the Udta Punjab team during their recent press conference, feels that censoring a piece of art is insane. In one of her recent interviews, she said, “I want to see that film. I don’t think it is fair on the audience to be denied a creative piece of work — you are telling them that they don’t have brains. They do and they will decide for themselves. Before the day comes when I make a film like that, I would like to watch it. You are anyway violating my right, whether I have made the film or not."

On being asked what she – as a kid - had experienced and witnessed when it came to censorship, she said, “Every time some new person comes in, it can’t change the morality of the country or what people believe in. That is something odd. Some are more lenient, some are not, don’t say this word, people will shut down the theatre, somebody will get offended... If you are getting offended then don’t go to the theatre. There are lot of trailers that offend me and so I don’t buy the ticket. Because as an artist, I have the right, and on some level I believe that it is my duty to show society a mirror. I have the right to reflect and I must reflect society. Even if people don’t want to do that and they make a tacky offensive sex comedy, they should be allowed to do that; I just won’t go and buy the ticket."

After several filmmakers who expressed support for ‘Udta Punjab’ makers Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan also stated that "killing creativity" is equivalent to kill the "souls" of artistes. “I am not quite aware of what the issue is. I have been reading about it. All I can say is that don't try and kill creativity. If you kill creativity, you kill the soul and that is all that we (artistes) have," he had said.

Actress Priyanka too showed no qualms in stating that curbing creativity in democracy is completely wrong.

Even though the Bombay High Court’s judgement has worked in favour of Abhishek Chaubey's ‘Udta Punjab’, CBFC is now beginning to cause trouble for another film. The Examining Committee of the CBFC has refused to pass the 'Haraamkhor' after a screening that was held recently. Guneet Monga, who has co-produced the film said the problem with CBFC began stated in one of her interviews that “the entiretheme of the movie is objectionable". A source close to the film said, “Their main issue is that teachers are revered people in society and they can't be shown having an affair with an underage girl."

While the filmmakers and the Bombay High Court have explicitly stated that Censor Board’s role is to certify and not censor films, will the body understand the message? It isn’t ready, it seems.

Will CBFC now understand that an environment of ‘sanitization’ and ‘policing’ will only spawn fear among artists and those who encourage creativity? Not really.

Will CBFC now realize that art needs to reflect its context and the society and not just come up with a sterile project that has no place for the less positive aspects of the society? A remote possibility.

If CBFC continues to be adamant about the way it functions, filmmakers won’t be able to be upfront in depicting the grim reality and exercise their creative liberties.

If CBFC refuses to learn a lesson from the ‘Udta Punjab’ row, the film fraternity will have to be ready for many such censorship battles that are both bizarre and uncalled for.