This is blackmail: Anurag Kashyap on 'Udta Punjab' row

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has said that he felt blackmailed throughout his battle with the Censor Board over the certification for his upcoming movie "Udta Punjab".

Kashyap said in all his previous run-ins with either the board or the government, he never felt he was being silenced, but this particular case was different.

"... I never felt that I was being silenced or blackmailed into doing something against my will. All those battles were a fair fight of belief systems, all those fights were not being lost, not knowing what's going on.

"All those battles we knew who and what the enemy was, be it a person, a thought or just the understanding of the board. This one is different. This was blackmail, this has been a wall of lies. We got the official letter in a day after going to press and immediately after the first hearing of the court," he posted on Facebook.

Kashyap's fresh post came hours after he along with other leading Bollywood celebrities held a joint press meet to express their anger towards board's objections to certain portions of the film, which is based on substance abuse in North Punjab and its effect on youth.

The "Bombay Velvet" director said Pahlaj Nihalani has been lying and pressuring them to delay the release of the film, slated to hit theatres on June 17.

"I have a signed acknowledgment from Mr Nihalani's office dated yesterday 7th June, which requests him to give us the official copy. So him saying he gave the letter on Monday is a lie and proof of all his lies.

"Him pressurising us to delay release, and accepting cuts is and was a thought through strategy. His accusing me of taking money from AAP is not just a lie, is a diversion from the real issue to make the fight for a filmmaker's right into a political battle. And in this he is being helped by all the trolls to make sure that the real issue somewhere is lost in the political blame game."

Kashyap requested his fans to not believe in the gossip being spread online while also making it clear that he had no political affiliation.

"I request to not get involved in any rumour mongering and let us stick to the real honest issue of freedom of expression and free thought and our rights as film makers versus the censorship.

"No I am not a member of AAP or Congress not do I associate with any other political party. I have made more films without a fees than anyone else and I don't take money that is not earned from anyone."

Kashyap, who went through a lot of struggle to release his debut film "Black Friday", said he was writing the Facebook post to tell his side of story as "trolls" were trying to diverse the issue "with blatant lies and accusations".

Giving instances of his past battles with censorship, Kashyap said "Paanch", which everyone believes was banned by censors, was actually cleared by revising committee after a few cuts and two disclaimers.

While "Black Friday" was cleared uncut by censors but the release was blocked by the court as the case was under trial.

The film was cleared for exhibition after two years by Justice Sabharwal, he said, adding the film stayed intact "except some references to Shiv Sena that were cut out under pressure".

"Gulaal", Kashyap said, was stuck in production and only had a few references muted in one dialogue.

The director said delaying the release of "Ugly" was their decision as they wanted to fight the health ministry on anti smoking logo where as "Water", whose screenplay was written by him, was not allowed to shoot at all.

Cartoon by - Nirjhar Som