Exclusive: Pahlaj Nihalani defends Censor Board’s stand on Udta Punjab

New Delhi: In an exclusive interview with ABP News, censor board Chief Pahlaj Nihalani opens up about why it’s a must to put cuts on Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Udta Punjab’as recommended by the CBFC and clarifies on the allegations of political links.  Nihalani seems firm on Censor Board's reviewing committee’s stand of making 89 cuts in the film. According to Nihalani the film has several “objectionable scenes” which cannot be ignored even after labeling it as an Adult film. Showing his averse towards CBFC’S decision, producer Anurag Kashyap spew venom on Pahlaj Nihalani for his stand and accused him of "acting like an oligarch (dictator), who is treating the Censor Board like his North Korea." Nihalani told ABP that the accusations that are floating about political pressure against the release of the film are completely baseless. He said “The decision has been taken solely by CBFC, and that he did not have any political pressure because of the forthcoming Punjab elections”. In fact according to agency sources, CBFC supremo put some serious charges on Kashyap saying that “Kashyap may have taken money from AAP over the release of the film.” AAP has been in the favor of the film release from day one. AAP had earlier accused the Punjab Government of exercising its influence to "censor" the film. Nihalani also added that Kashyap always has an option of going to the court if he is not contended with censor board’s decision. The Government sources also cleared their stand on the issue saying “Centre has nothing to do with the Censor Board's decision”. The junior minister for Information and Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Rathore also suggested a re-appeal against the 89 cuts ordered by CBFC.