In its order passed on June 6, the revising committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has suggested 13 changes in the controversial film “Udta Punjab” co-produced by Anurag Kashyap's Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures. Shockingly enough, the changes suggested include, deletion of sign board of “Punjab” in the beginning; deletion of words like Punjab, Chandigarh, Amritsar and ludhiana in the film and change in the disclaimer that goes with the film. Among other things, the revising committee has asked the filmmakers to acknowledge the excellent work being done by Punjab Government and state police to remove the drug menace in Punjab. It has reportedly suggested deletion of words like election, party, MP, MlA etc.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted time to Phantom Films, a company floated by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, to amend the petition and posted the matter for hearing on Thursday.
The High Court simultaneously directed the CBFC to place before it the records of this case on Thursday. The issue on was whether the aggrieved filmmakers could move the High Court directly without approaching the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal in accordance with the rules of Cinematograph Act, cropped up before the high court on Wedne-sday. Ravi Kadam, counsel for the film producer, argued that the Chairman of the Tribunal was out of town and therefore would not be available till June 14. Since the film was slated for release on June 17, the aggrieved filmmaker had moved the HC. “The law (Cinematograph Act) also provides that if the Tribunal does not sit for any reason, the aggrieved parties can move the High Court,” Kadam told the court.