Udta Punjab row: B-Town celebs lash out at CBFC

Filmmakers including Karan Johar, Mahesh Bhatt, Ram Gopal Varma among others have criticised Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for censoring the content of upcoming film Udta Punjab.
The Abhishek Chaubey-directed movie, co-produced by Phantom and Balaji Films, deals with the substance abuse in Northern part of the state and its effects on the youth.

The strong reactions from the film industry came after the Censor Board purportedly raised certain objections regarding references to the name of the state of Punjab.
It has been said the Shahid Kapoor-Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer might have to undergo some changes due to the board's disapproval.
Sudhir Mishra, who has had his share of run-ins with the board , tweeted,

No film shud b censored.Only b certified.Lot of blood,sweat has gone into d making.But d answer's2make brave films https://t.co/tgRfRQexFJ

— Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) June 7, 2016

Mahesh Bhatt, whose daughter Alia is playing one of the leads in the film, said censorship is similar to ignorance. In a series of tweets, he posted:

" Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance". Is Pahalaj Nihalani listening ?

— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) June 6, 2016

The Censors says I am the one who says the last sentence on UDTA PUNJAB .The nation can say what it wants our verdict is going to stick.

— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) June 7, 2016

Why should I censor myself to nourish ignorance.

— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) June 7, 2016

National award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who had also faced an opposition from the board before the release of his last film Aligarh , said the row surrounding Udta Punjab has made him angry.
Agitated at the ongoing controversy, Mehta tweeted:

What is this I'm hearing about #UdtaPunjab? Makes me very, very angry.

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 6, 2016

Can the truth defame a state? #UdtaPunjabCensored

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 6, 2016

Delusion or collusion? Why is the establishment so scared of films that mirror reality? #UdtaPunjabCensored

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 6, 2016

Actor Ranvir Shorey requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene into the matter and tweeted:

Dear @PMOIndia, please put an end to this constant BLACKMAILING of the film fraternity by the CBFC. Films aren't causing #India's problems!

— रanviर_ डhoरeय_ (@RanvirShorey) June 7, 2016