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.
Here are some tweets by Bollywood celebrities:
There is no film more honest than UDTA PUNJAB .. And any person or party opposing it is actually GUILTY of promoting drugs
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 6, 2016
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016
It's my fight Vs a dictatorial man sitting there operating like an oligarch in his constituency of censor board, that's my North Korea
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) June 6, 2016
#UdtaPunjab speaks of the reality of our times....censoring reality amounts to delusion.....the fraternity has to stand by what's right!!
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 7, 2016
Overwhelmed with all the support #UdtaPunjab #freedomofexpression #drugsdimaadi
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) June 7, 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.
— renuka shahane (@renukash) June 6, 2016
"Udta the-State-named-after-five- rivers-that-flow-within-it" or "Udta Beep"??? Sigh!!! ????????????
The strong reactions from the film industry came after the Censor Board purportedly raised certain objections regarding references to 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 be censored. Only be certified. Lot of blood, sweat has gone into the making. But the answer is to make brave films."
National award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who faced an opposition from the board before the release of his last film "Aligarh" , said the row surrounding "Udta Punjab" has made him angry.
"What is this I'm hearing about #UdtaPunjab? Makes me very, very angry. Can the truth defame a state? #UdtaPunjabCensored Delusion or collusion? Why is the establishment so scared of films that mirror reality? #UdtaPunjabCensored," tweeted an agitated Hansal.
Actor Ranvir Shorey requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene into the matter.
Punjab has a crippling drug problem. Censoring #UdtaPunjab will not fix it. The government must accept the reality and find solutions.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 7, 2016
"Dear @PMOIndia, please put an end to this constant BLACKMAILING of the film fraternity by the CBFC.
