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Udta Punjab
Controversy
Shraddha Rao
Suraj Verma
Rohit Pawar

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Punjab and the drug menace

Facts about the addicts:

83% employed people

89% addicted

99% live with family

Demographics:

Lower middle class

Male

Income level Rs. 6000 to Rs. 20000 monthly

of which Rs. 1400 is needed per day for drugs

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Plot line

Connect between

Rockstar and Bihari Immigrant drug abuse

Corrupt policemen

Rehabilitation centres and doctors

Based in Punjab with harsh depiction of reality

Contains intense violence and otherwise

vulgar/obscene scenes which are not advisable for
minors.

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Issues in Udta Punjab

CBFC wanted the name Punjab removed from the title

and all other references to places to be removed

Assembly elections are approaching in Punjab which

would get impacted by the films bold storyline

Ruling party Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) is being cornered

for being inactive in tackling drug abuse

CBFC wanted disclaimer that was more of a political

campaign stating that the govt. is playing its part for
handling the drug menace

CBFC has vague and arbitrary guidelines.

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Issues in Udta Punjab

Extensive study was done by the filmmakers before the

storyline was decided

Lack of freedom of speech and expression for film makers

Fire(1997) Mira Nair

Bandit Queen(1994) allowed by Supreme Court after a ban

Paanch (2003) Anurag Kashyap drug abuse, violence, strong

language

Black Friday(2004) Mumbai Blasts

Parzania(2005) & Firaaq(2008) Gujarat riots

2016 Shyam Benegal Committee self censorship

Focus should be on certification and not on censorship

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Conclusion

High Court allowed the film to be released with just one

cut and A certificate.

Uncut version was leaked on online platforms much to

the dismay of the filmmakers.

Film is a mode of mass communication Messenger

To watch the film or not, is viewers discretion

Ban and unrealistic cuts discourage talented

filmmakers from making storylines that concern social
issues