The makers of Udta Punjab and the film fraternity heaved a sigh of relief yesterday after the Bombay High Court cleared the film with just one cut and ordered the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to certify the film within 48 hours. However, it seems that troubles for the film are far from over.
On the basis of several media reports, a Jalandhar based advocate filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 13 June against the release of the film for allegedly portraying Punjab in bad light and doing “negative branding” of Punjab.
The bench directed the CBFC and the makers to screen the film for Amicus Curiae – advocate Sanjay N Kantawala – as well as the representatives of the petitioner, CBFC and the Central Government. The Amicus Curiae will have to submit his report by 16 June, following which the court will decide whether the film is fit for public exhibition.
Udta Punjab has been slated for release on 17 June. One will have to wait and see if the report of the Amicus Curiae and the subsequent judgement will have any bearing on the release of the film.