After a slew of filmmakers expressed support for the “Udta Punjab” makers who are locking horns with the censor board over suggesting 89 cuts in the movie, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has joined the debate by saying that “killing creativity” can kill the “souls” of artistes.
At a press conference for his forthcoming film “TE3N” here on Wednesday, the 73-year-old actor was asked to comment on the controversy over “Udta Punjab” — a movie on the festering problem of drugs in Punjab.
He said: “I am not quite aware of what the issue is. I have been reading about it. All I can say is that don’t try and kill creativity. If you kill creativity, you kill the soul and that is all that we (artistes) have.”
“I know that there are rules and regulations… That’s something that the government has to decide. But as an artiste and a creative person, all I can say is that don’t kill creativity.”
@indicine
Jag Ghoomeya :: Salman Khan Version is OUT
IT WAS FAB
It’s Fresh Change
boring article
Killing creativity is bigger crime than killing black bluck
Breaking a vow of silence over matters of the CBFC, Samson on Wednesday took to her Facebook page to share her views
Udta Punjab is yet another movie being “slaughtered” at the hands of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), says veteran danseuse Leela Samson, who had resigned from her post as censor board chief last year over government interference.
Breaking a vow of silence over matters of the CBFC, Samson on Wednesday took to her Facebook page to share her views on the raging row of Udta Punjab, a movie which delves into the drug menace of Punjab and which has been suggested 89 cuts by the censor board.
“Udta Punjab – a film made by some of the country’s boldest and finest industrywalas! Yet another film and its slaughter at the hands of the CBFC – that is made into a national news item and flogged to death with opinions intended to fan more debate and endless hours of controversy.
“Have we not had enough? Enough opportunity to talk to each other, to debate the issues of certification and its down-face – censorship,” Samson wrote.
In her opinion, matters of the film industry should be taken care of by “just the industry and what should be an empathetic CBFC board”.
“There are three parties involved. That’s already one too many,” she added.
Samson drew attention to how everything related to the CBFC operations boils down to a direct connection with the government.
“Who appoints the Board? The members of the Viewing and Reviewing committees? The Ministry. Who dictates which officials will be placed in Mumbai? The Ministry. Who makes policy? The Ministry. Who runs the film festivals? The Ministry. Who sets up an Enquiry committee as was just done? The Ministry.”
In a message to Kashyap, who has outrightly called present censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani an “oligarch”, she said: “The industry ought to know by now that this act of certification should be transferred to an internal body within the industry. Self regulation is the only regulation that should exist.”
Also, Samson said that “those who do not like it, should not see it”.
“Turn the switch off for heaven’s sake! Art is not compulsory.”
Calling the boards and the committees a “sham”, Samson urged filmmakers to get together, and fight for it.
“It’s the good fight,” she said.
Is it Anurag alone like being portrayed by some persons here or are other people too supporting his view?
Director Kabir Khan talks about the UP issue, “We all know to what extent the drug problems exist in Punjab. I was shooting last year in border areas of Punjab for Bajrangi Bhaijaan and everybody there was only talking about it. We saw people, we saw families who were suffering with this problem. And now if a film is trying to highlight and put focus on this problem then how is it negatively portraying people? If any film is talking about it then it’s actually going to help highlight the problem and it will help people to galvanise and try fight this problem. I mean, are we ostriches that we dig a hole, put our head into it and pretend that nobody is seeing us? It’s a genuine problem and it needs to be addressed.”
Amir Khan speaks : “It’s very unfortunate. I am pained to see that the film is going through this. According to my knowledge the film is based on drug addiction and it delivers a social message. I don’t think there is anything that should be cut or audience should be kept away from seeing. It reflects badly on CBFC and hope the film gets justice at the tribunal. The voice of the film and filmmaker shouldn’t be throttled. They should have a free voice to speak. I believe there were supposed to be changes in CBFC and there won’t be any cuts; only certification as per age group. So it’s strange and shocking to see so many cuts in the film. I haven’t seen the film but to hear these things are strange. Not only Bollywood, ever Indian who wants freedom of speech to prevail should come out. The Tribunal is going to watch the film and I hope they deliver justice to the film. I wish them all the best.”
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra says the “scissors” of the censor board must be abolished. “You can fight that out. Don’t agree to the cuts (made by CBFC). There is a Revising Committee. Then there is High Court and Supreme Court. Fight it out. I’m part of the censor committee since last five months. Day and night we have been working, and our recommendation is to abolish the scissor. There should be no scissors. End of story. We should have a rating system.”
Imtiaz Ali in joint press conference : “I am representing myself. I haven’t seen the film but anything going against film is going against freedom of expression..We all are here together so that is a good thing.”
Zoya Akhtar in joint press conference: “A certification board is acting as a Censor Board. I think there is a constant denial of what’s going on in the society. But freedom of expression is important. There are lot of scenes which have not been allowed where women are treated badly but I can’t stop it. Udta Punjab is our fight not only theirs.”
Mahesh Bhatt in joint press conference: “My film Zakham also ran into trouble, subsequently the film got an award. I came here to join my shoulder with other filmmakers.”
Aanand L Rai in joint press conference: “I will just say that no one doubted me as much i have been here. I was never doubted when I was in school.I would say show some trust.”
Abhishek Chaubey in joint press conference : “If we do not take a step now than in future no other director can work on political films or any other topics. All who are supporting , I am happy and we all will stand for the right thing.”
People here are calling Anurag egoistic, stupid and marketing his movie. Fine. But why the above mentioned known and respected people are talking about this movie and supporting it? Are they being paid by UP team to do marketing of the movie or are they seeing some injustice being done and speaking against it?Think about it.
Finally , the gr8 megastar makes a clear stand
True , if u kill creativity u kill soul of artist
But this doesn’t mean you can disrespect anyone
Can’t say who is on the right side of this conflict
But udta punjab should be given a proper release with or without cuts that is for the makers to decide
I don’t know what to say.
My mind belongs to Sambuddha Sir who is supporting Udta Punjab now.
My Heart belongs to Kshitij sir and it is against Anurag Nipunoholic.
But My limbs belong to Nipun sir who always write manipulate comments , so I will write whatever he wants.
“I watched Lootera for the 134th time and I would rate it 134/5 now.
Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who heads the government-appointed revamp panel of the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC), on Wednesday watched the controversial Udta Punjab and appreciated it for being “very well-made”.
On Thursday, he said about the film, “Its an important film, it brings to the fore a very big problem,” the filmmaker said. “You cannot think that everything will fit in the same set of rules, films are not made in a factory.”
After the movie’s screening, Benegal told media: “I am not making any comments at the moment. The film is right now with the censor board, so, I don’t want to make any comment and confuse anyone further. I think we should let this entire thing settle with the board. Let’s see what happens. Technically, I feel the film is well made. The director knows what he has done with the film.”
It’s the audience who should decide what to watch..
World is not filled with only Sankari Alok Naths.. People do utter slangs, people do take drugs..
And it has got A certificate, I heard! Then what’s the need of cutting some many parts from the film.
KRK is the best filmmaker in the world.
True @sir amitabh bachchan. If you kill creativity than you will kill souls.
It is clear now that udta punjab’s certification is blocked due to political pressure. How????? I tell you all here.
Raman ragav 2.0 has passed now without cuts with similar theme of drug use sense and caus words. Also there are violence sense and sex sense. Then why they arenot give certificate to udta punjab? It is simply because of political pressure.
First modi’s party dna make punjab worse. Now his chamcha palhaj nihalini ban udta punjab to hhide the truth of punjab.
Also post the list of cuts made by censor board. It is out in d public now. They want to censor Punjab Ludhiana MP MLA Parliament Part Workers..!!
Nahlani lost the argument when he accused Anurag of siding with AAP.
Such a dumb guy??.
I will watch Udta Punjab in theatre to support Anurag.
one non actor of our industry who doesn’t know what’s creativity known as salman khan.and his fans are thinking copying south remake means creativity.
BIGB talking about ACTORS/TRUE ARTISTS.and salman’s fans are comparinjg their stars with BIG/KING KHAN WHO reigned in THEIR GENERATION.salman fans accept your non actor has no soul in his non acting and also accept he is nowhere close to THE GENERATION RULERS(BOTH IN SUCCESS AND ACTING) and can never take risk ever like them—-DILLIPJI,BIGB,KING SRK.
Aamir khan sir also has support the udta punjab. His has said very honest and good thing.
I am from nepal. I am so sad that udta punjab still hasn’t get certification. I have read in news paper 1 year ago that punjab in india has readily increase in drug problem. Most of the youth are using drug. Same here in nepal also drug problem is increasing. In our college also there are many boys who use drug. I remember just a month ago there is one junior in our collage is almost die due to overdose of drug which he use in college toilet. He was fall down in floor in toilet unconsciously. He than immediately sent to om hospital in ktm. Now he is fine but restricted from college. There are also increasing number of youth who use drug in nepal. But reading news from different web sites and news paper. I know that punjab has huge drug problem which should be solved as fast as possible. Not only in punjab but also in nepal, india and whole world. This movie has speak the truth of druge absue in punjab. So, i support udta punjab.
Instead of giving political pressures to stop release udta punjab. Government of punjab should focus on solving drug absue problem of the state of punjab.
Now i am desperately want to see this movie with uncut. UP has increase my curiosity that what is the truth that palhaj nahilini of CBFT and bjp party of punjab has tried to hide.
Only Sallu Bhai is real… Aamir Hrithik Shahid are all ordinary stars..
Just chill big b and enjoy sultan music
Unprecedented support from genuine film lovers for Udta Punjab.With more than 15000 views,Likes per dislike ratio on YouTube of his interview with Arnab is more than 30 which happens only when Arnab bashes Congress.
Apart from few insecure and intolerant people it is getting support from every single quarter.
Sad to see this mess being created over last many days. Both parties have their own perspectives but like before I am still with the UP makers and want this movie to be released without cuts on the original release date with “A” certificate.
Many people are lambasting Anurag here because they don’t like him may be because of his out spoken or egoistic nature. May be he is using this moment as free marketing for the movie as some people are saying here or may be his intentions are pure. We can never judge some one’s intentions. But liking or disliking him is a separate issue and whether this movie deserves to be released without cuts is a separate issue. For me both matters shall not be mixed. I have nothing for or against Anurag and just want to watch this movie as it looks to be worth it. Honestly if it was a Great Grand Masti type movie I wouldn’t have cared that much but this one is on a important social issue; something which attracts me.
Big B is usually very diplomatic but good to see him talking more from an actor’s perspective rather than the government’s perspective. Also very happy to see people like Amir Khan, Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar, Anand Rai supporing the UP makers openly.
More than Big B, I loved the stance of Amir Khan, Kabir Khan and Zoya Akhtar on this matter. They were very open and made a lot of sense.
Good to see bollywood as a family supporting UP and Anuragh. The reasoning level of Bollywood celebs with movies are way beyond those of irrelevant political figures.
Now i am sure that bjp party of punjab will sure lose election of 2017 in punjab. Public have now clearly seen that there are some politicians in bjp who are guilty to promote drug trafficking in state of punjab. So, they are afraid of udta punjab if they revealed the truth.
According to survive every year there is use of 7,50,00,000 rupees in drug in punjab. Then how some idiots like palhaj nahilini can say udta punjab has shown punjab in bad light. UP has just shown the truth.
One dialogue he said is objectionable – ‘punjab ka bhumi banjar and punjab ka puttar khanjar’.
The dialogue is genuine when there is drug absue problem in punjab shown in movie and its bad impacts. Drug absue problem obviously make any land banja and their puttar khanjar. Drug addiction willnot make any place heaven and their putter gentalmen. Then why is this dialogue is objectionable. Even he is tried to cuts minor things in the movie.
I am sure the movie will reflect the dark side of using drugs.
Even if u listen to the song Da Da Dasse it is very catchy but the lyrics are dark in nature and seem to have a message in them too. Some of the lines are:
Aahat se dariyo dariyo ve
Khauf ke andar lagge dere
Sab sikud raha hai, Ki kara, ki kara
Ghut raha dum mera, Ki kara, ki kara
Khaalipan te soona soonapan hai
Badi bechaini te kallapan hai
Tan rooh kaanp rahi
Maut kahin aalaap rahi
Galla sukh da, saah rukk da
Paraan mere khichda, khichda
Kitte game khatam na ho jaave
Main khud se hi ab lukta chhipta haan…
I am not good at Punjabi but from what little I understood it shows the bad ending a drug addict has to face in the end.
I am sure the movie will also deliver the message that drug use (though may look cool like done by the character of Tommy Singh in the movie) but the end is horrible.
I really don’t understand that why Desi boyz was got the A Certificate . Reason should be Congress government .
Is anyone notice that the words like PM, MLA, party, parliament and hoding board which have punjab word also demanded to be cuts. Seriously?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This idiot palhaj nihalini has been use drug. And afraid of not getting drug in future.
@indicine please publish an article about cuts demanded by censor board.