'Udta Punjab' sans Punjab? Censor row turns political

New Delhi : What if Punjab is missing from `Udta Punjab'? It seems like the Censor Board has eventually succumbed to the political pressure as reports suggest that they do not want the Shahid Kapoor and starrer to be set in the state.   The ongoing censor issue just got political as the Censor Board doesn't want the movie to be set in Punjab. After Censor Board refused to issue a certificate to the Abhishek Chaubey-directed film, the Revising Committee of Censor Board has now given even harsher suggestions to the makers, in order to obtain the certificate.   Recommendations/Objections of the Reviewing Committee have assumed political overtones.   It is being reported that the committee wants the film to be set in a fictional land rather than in Punjab and is demanding a lot of cuts, which are against the "reality" of the movie. Strangely, the Reviewing Committee is taking a view that the flick, which is based on the growing drug addiction among the youth, is defamatory to Punjab. Earlier also, the ruling party in Punjab, Akali Dal, had objected to the movie. Sources close to the censors indicate towards political pressure being put in the wake of Punjab elections slated to happen early next year. Co-produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures, 'Udta Punjab,' a highly talked about movie that is being keenly anticipated by a large section of youth, also stars Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh. It is slated to release on 17th June 2016.