Excepting veteran actor-turned-BJP MP Shatrugan Sinha who defended Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairman Pahlaj Nihalani, near-entire Bollywood on Monday erupted in jubilation over the Bombay High Court’s verdict clearing film Udta Punjab with just one cut and a modification in a disclaimer.
Condemning the film censor censorship, the filmmakers described the High Court’s ruling as “landmark” judgement, “victory of democracy” and “victory for creative spirits”. Some filmmakers rooted for the removal of Nihalani from his post as the CBFC chairman.
“Thank you To the honourable Judge, thank you all for the faith and support.. Time to get back to work.. Two back to back releases,” tweeted filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, whose company, Phantom Films, has co-produced “Udta Punjab” with Balaji Motion Pictures.
"I am terribly happy with what the court has said," said the film's director Abhishek Chaubey minutes after the high court pronounced the verdict in the “Udta Punjab” case.
"landmark judgement #UdtaPunjab will fly and so will the voice of freedom and expression. Thank you all for the support. This is your victory," lead actor in Udta Punjab Shahid Kapoor tweeted.
"And FINAllY #UdtaPunjab will flyyyyy!!Here's to freedom of expression, to our judiciary, to the industry, to the media and to YOU All!!," tweeted Alia Bhatt, who is the lead actress in the film.
“If we can dream it we can do it. Congratulations IFDA and the Film Producers Guild for spearheading this 'fight'!.... Facts do not cease to exist because the Government chooses to ignore them. The present Chairman of the CBFC has lost the faith of our tribe,” filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt tweeted.
Shatrugan Sinha, who struck a different note at a time when several of the personalities demanded Nihalani’s dismissal from his post, said, "Why there is a huge outcry to sack Pahlaj NihalaniIJ He is only doing his duty. One should ask the Government to change the guidelines. If Udta Punjab is focusing on drug problem, I believe its sincere attempt."
“And justice there is!!!!!!!!! #BombayHighCourt ....#UdtaPunjab ...as a filmmaker I feel empowered and relieved!!!!,” filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted.
"Fabulous! It is the victory for creative spirits...... It is the independence day for the film industry today. I hope this will bring an end to the regime of oppression. Well, what happens to Mr Nihalani, I am not in power to say,” Director Vikram Bhatt said.
“...But I am still upset that we had to go to court and CBFC failed to deliver. We have to wait and watch, am still cynical about the system. I will be convinced only if the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will take some action. But Congratulations to the Udta Punjab team,” Director Hansal Mehta said.
"This is a landmark judgment. We filmmakers are conscious Indian citizens, so I just want to say that we are fully aware of what we shoot, write, project. It is observations from our point of view. We have every right to show things the way see it,” Director Shoojit Sircar said.
"We were living in such an absurd situation and I am very happy, in fact, thrilled with this landmark judgment....Nihalani has butchered lot of movies in the last two years and lot of people have succumbed to the pressure. This( judgement) will also embolden the small time producers who have been suffering at the hands of Nihalani. This judgment has set a great precedent. This is just the beginning,” director Kabir Khan said.
“The triumph of #UdtaPunjab is the victory of #Democracy. And a victory for the spirit that DOES,” actress Dia Mirza tweeted.