Censor Board snubbed over the satellite telecast of Udta Punjab

3 Dec 2016

There is much outrage and embarrassment in the ranks of the Central Board OfFilm Certification (CBFC) over the censor certification for the satellite telecast ofAbhishek Chaubeys hugely controversial anti-drug film Udta Punjab.It may be recalled that in June this year UdtaPunjab bypassed the CBFCs ban and got cleared for release from the honourable courts. Now, in what can be seen as a double snub for the censor board UdtaPunjab has been cleared for satellite telecast by the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal , with voluntary cuts implemented by the producers themselves. The Tribunals order to issue a U/Acertificate with no cuts from the CBFCreads, The film has been largely sanitized by the appellant and any scenes that may have fallen foul for the purpose of satellite viewing have been deleted. After the said voluntary cuts the film may be certified as U/A and allowed for satellite release. Fuming at the order a member ofCBFCsays, Films are now bypassing the censor board and are being passed by the Tribunal. TheCBFCis now rendered redundant and useless. Why waste time with revamping theCBFC on the basis of the changes suggested byShyamBenegals committee? Just scrap theCBFC.