Censor Board snubbed over the satellite telecast of Udta Punjab

There is much outrage and embarrassment in the ranks of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over the censor certification for the satellite telecast of Abhishek Chaubey’s hugely controversial anti-drug film Udta Punjab.

It may be recalled that in June this year Udta Punjab bypassed the CBFC’s ban and got cleared  for release from the honourable courts.

Now, in what can be seen as a double snub for the censor board the film has been cleared for satellite telecast by the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal, with voluntary cuts implemented by the producers themselves.

The Tribunal’s order to issue a ‘UA’ certificate with no cuts from the CBFC reads, “The film has been largely sanitised  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 ‘UA’ and allowed for satellite release.”

Fuming at the order a member of CBFC says, “Films are bypassing the censor board and are being passed by the Tribunal. The CBFC is now rendered redundant and useless. Why waste time with revamping the CBFC on the basis of the changes suggested by Shyam Benegal’s committee? Just scrap the CBFC.”