In the wake of the ongoing controversy over certification of Bollywood film Udta Punjab, based on the menace of drugs in Punjab, the censor board has cleared Punjabi filmmaker Baljeet Singh’s upcoming film Dhee Punjab Di with a ‘U’ certificate. It examines the impact of female foeticide and Punjab drug epidemic.
The makers of Udta Punjab have been at loggerheads with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after it reportedly suggested 94 cuts to the film. Since then, many known celebrities from the entertainment industry have come out in strong support of the film while demanding the removal of CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani.
Baljeet, who has written, produced and directed Dhee Punjab Di, slated to release on August 19, says his film is not anti-Punjab community. “CBFC has cleared my film with a ‘U’ certificate. When I took my film to them for certification, they just asked me to cut one particular scene where a young boy snorts drug,” said Baljeet.
“They said that ‘Your film deserves a ‘U’ certificate as drugs is a pan-India issue today and it’s not just restricted to Punjab’. These things are also happening in states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra,” Baljeet said.
“They said it won’t look good if a kid will see how a character in the film is snorting drugs. So I chopped that scene myself,” he added.
@Agency report.
