“We have today cleared Udta Punjab under A (restricted for adult audience) category after 13 cuts,” Nihalani told reporters on the sidelines of a function here. Nihalani, who was in the eye of the storm over suggesting a very large number of cuts, said nine members of the Central Board of Film Certification watched the film and “unanimously” cleared it after the proposed 13 cuts.
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“The CBFCs job is now over. It is now up to the producer to go to the court or tribunal. We will implement the order,” Nihalani said. The Abhishek Chaubey-directed film is tentatively scheduled for release on June 17. Meanwhile, responding to a query, Nihalani, who has been criticised by the film fraternity for his “dictatorial attitude” said, “those call me cheap are themselves ‘ghatia’ (lowly)”.
Nihalani clarified that he never called himself as “chamcha” (sycophant) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “There is nothing wrong in admiring the Prime Minister. I never said (I am) a chamcha,” he said.
A division bench had concluded hearing arguments on the petition and is expected to pass order in the case tomorrow.