‘Udta Punjab’ row: Bombay HC adjourns hearing till tomorrow

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday posted the petition filed by Phantom films, one of the producers of the movie 'Udta Punjab', for further hearing on Friday. The High Court allowed the company to amend its petition, allowing them to challenge the Censor Board's order suggesting 13 cuts in the film. With the 'Udta Punjab' issue turning into a battle between co-producer Anurag Kashyap and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, the producers yesterday moved the High Court seeking a copy of the order of the Censor Board Review Committee report on the film. The CBFC is said to have demanded an alteration of the narrative with as many as 89 cuts. The makers were apparently even asked to drop 'Punjab' from the title and it was suggested that the film be set in a fictitious backdrop instead of a particular state. Sources close to the Censor Board indicate towards political pressure being put in wake of the Punjab assembly elections to be held early next year. Co-produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures, ' Udta Punjab' stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Punjabi singer- actor Diljit Dosanjh. The film, which attempts to bring on screen the problem of drug abuse among the youth of Punjab, is slated to release on June 17. However, it now seems the release is likely to get delayed courtesy the fresh controversies surrounding the film and its co-producer. Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced he will release the uncensored version of Bollywood movie "Udta Punjab" on June 17. The movie has run into trouble with the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) over references to Punjab and the drugs racket in the state.