'Udta Punjab' row: No end of trouble; Punjab-based NGO moves SC challenging Bombay HC order

It seems like the trouble dogging Udta Punjab isn't over yet. Less than two days before the release of the controversial Bollywood film, an NGO has moved Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court verdict.

Admonishing the censor board for acting like a 'grandmother', the Bombay High Court had ordered it to certify movie Udta Punjab within 48 hours with just one cut instead of 13 suggested by the CBFC so its producers can release it on schedule on June 17.

However, now, a Punjab-based NGO has moved Supreme Court challenging Bombay High Court order. According to ANI, the non-government organisation has sought a stay on film.

The NGO named Human Rights Awareness Association sought an urgent hearing, but the apex court said that it would hear the matter only after the petition was cleared by the court registry.

The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab has also said that it has no objection to the release of the film, adding that the people will decide the fate of the Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhat starrer.

In a strongly worded order, the Bombay HC bench comprising Justices S C Dharmadhikari and Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi said,"Do not act like a grandmother. Change as per the times now. The CBFC need not be over-sensitive in the matter of art." 

Making a strong pitch against curbing creativity, the court said,"The CBFC cannot stop creative people abruptly as it may discourage them. This will kill creativity. These days filmmakers are brutal, direct and straightforward. One need not treat them harshly just because of this."

It also raised questions about Central Board of Film Certification's powers to censor movies as the word censor did not figure in the Cinematograph Act and said if cuts had to be made, those should be in consonance with the Constitution and directions of the Supreme Court.