Udta Punjab 1, Pahlaj Nihalani 0: HC passes Kashyap's film with single cut

The Udta Punjab verdict is out. From 89 suggested cuts (by the CBFC) to 1 final cut, and an ‘A’ certificate, Bombay HC ordered that the film will release as planned on 17 June. Over two weeks now, Abhishek Chaubey’s Udta Punjab has been mired in controversy over CBFC’s claims that the film depicts the state of Punjab and its drug issues in a negative light. The film has been battling out the cuts made by CBFC in the Bombay High Court. (Read what happened in courts on day one and two of the hearing.) [caption id=“attachment_2825038” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Udta Punjab poster[/caption] On Monday noon, the hearing begun,  and the Bombay HC judge’s observations were critical of the CBFC and mostly in agreement with the petitioner. The Judge observed that Udta Punjab portrays the downfall of a rockstar, and the easy availability of drugs and its menace has been highlighted in the film. Overall, the Bombay HC stated that the censor board has no right to interfere on how makers of a film show or highlight an issue. Since the makers have categorically stated that do not intend to support drugs or glamourise drug use, there’s no reason to censor. Here are the observations made by the Judge on the case and the suggested cuts, which lead to the verdict:

Bombay HC: "#UdtaPunjab is a movie depicting the drug menace based in a place" | @ANI_news

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HC: 'CBFC can't censor films' #UdtaPunjab | @TimesNow

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Just in: 'Make cuts, don't censor' — Bombay HC reads out judgment | @TimesNow #UdtaPunjab

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HC makes observations criticial of CBFC: 'Board should use its powers as per Constitution and SC's directions' | @ANI_news #UdtaPunjab

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Bombay HC: 'All facets of drug menace are shown in #UdtaPunjab. Can't discourage filmmaking' | @TimesNow

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HC: 'Filmmakers don't support drugs; board has to ensure drugs are not glamourised' | @TimesNow #UdtaPunjab

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HC Judge: Title contains the word 'Punjab'. There is no need to delete scene of a sign board showing Punjab. | #UdtaPunjab

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Bombay HC: Didn't find anything #UdtaPunjab that shows Punjab in bad light or affects integrity of India as claimed by CBFC | PTI

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Bombay HC: 'Rockstar in the film is purely fictional. There is no real life plot' #UdtaPunjab | @TimesNow

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Bombay HC: 'Blanket ban on #UdtaPunjab interferes with creative freedom' | @CNNnews18

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Bombay HC cracks down on CBFC: 'No blanket ban on #UdtaPunjab' | @CNNnews18

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Bombay HC not in agreement with cuss words: 'There's no need to assert abusive words in every dialogue' #UdtaPunjab | @ANI_news

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Bombay HC: 'Don't see a need for cuts in #UdtaPunjab' | @CNNnews18

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Bombay HC: Cuts with abuses are justified & should be removed; shots claiming to encourage drugs have been retained #UdtaPunjab

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Bombay HC: Punjab a land of green revolution, brave soldiers. 1 sentence ('Zameen banjar te aulaad kanjar') can't affect that | @ANI_news

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Bombay HC: Cut 9 (with rockstar urinating) justified; can be removed #UdtaPunjabVerdict

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Bombay HC: 'There's nothing wrong in naming a dog 'Jackie Chan' #UdtaPunjab | @CNNnews18

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