Filmmaker Kabir Khan says the Bombay High Court's verdict clearing "Udta Punjab" will encourage directors but feels it is about time the government takes the film industry seriously.
"Yesterday's (Bombay) High Court verdict is definitely a big step. We did need some intervention, we were looking for some sort of intervention may be from the I&B (Information and Broadcasting) Ministry, that didn't come but the High Court verdict came in," Kabir said.
The "Bajrangi Bhaijaan' helmer was speaking as part of the panel discussion on 'Soft Power, Hard Influence' along with Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup and Saffronart CEO Hugo Weihe here.
The HC had yesterday ordered the Central Board of Film Certification to certify movie "Udta Punjab' within 48 hours with just one cut so that its producers can release the film on June 17.
"It is a big step. It is going to embolden filmmakers to be able to take on subjects with the knowledge that if one certification board chief doesn't agree with you, you still have the course to go to the court and get the film out. We should just continue making films which are important and relevant," he added.
Kabir said the film industry often gets the feeling that the government takes them in a "frivolous" way while in fact it is a strong influential source across the world.
"We in the industry sometimes get the feeling that the government takes us in a very frivolous manner. That this is all about song and dance and 'tamasha'. They need to realise that Bollywood is a very strong influence across the world. We need to recognise that," the "Phantom" director added.
Kabir, who has directed movies like "Kabul Express", "New York", "Ek Tha Tiger", feels directors in the country should be given the freedom to make movies on any subjects they want to.
"Filmmakers should have the freedom to make films on any subject. Till yesterday, there was always a little bit of nervousness about what's going to happen with your film.
"Unfortunately, a filmmaker can be brave but sometimes the pressure of financiers begins to dilute his vision because closer to the release you can be soft targets. There is money riding on the movie," he added.
