Udta Punjab row: 'India can't do a Saudi Arabia,' says Mahesh Bhatt

Mumbai: The controversy over the much-talked of movie 'Udta Punjab' catapulted a notch higher on Wednesday with Bollywood biggies throwing their weight behind the movie's producer Anurag Kashyap. Cracking down upon the prevailing slew of allegations against Kashyap, tinsel town's celebrated director Mahesh Bhatt came out in the former's defense.

Bhatt on an acerbic note said, “We can't turn into a Saudi Arabia where there is opulence but no free thought in society.”

Besides, he had also tweeted, "Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance". Is Pahalaj Nihalani listening ?"

The Indian Film and Television Director’s Association along with ‘Udta Punjab’ team held a press conference on Wednesday where they addressed the media and put forth their perspective on the issue. Present at the press conference along with Shahid, Alia and Anurag were Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt, Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar, Vikas Bahl, Ashok Pandit, Abhishek Chaubey and others.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has purportedly raised certain objections to the Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Dijlit Dosanjh starrer regarding references to the problem of substance abuse in Punjab, following which the movie may have to go through some changes.

The board has also demanded the removal of "Punjab" from the title of the Abhishek Chaubey-directed movie.

Further, Shahid Kapoor asked everyone to support the message ‘Udta Punjab’ is sending. "We are in the age of information and technology. Today's youth should be well informed about what is happening, be it in Punjab or anywhere else in the nation. We are trying to do that through this movie. Hence, we need to support the message this film is sending," said the actor.

Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan who is all in favour of showcasing creativity said, "Not aware of the issue totally, but must not kill creativity."

Film’s producer, Anurag Kashyap questioned the Censor Board by saying, “What has happened in the last two years that now every film has to be cleared through tribunal?”

He has also rubbished his purported connection with the Aam Aadmi party (AAP). Towing a similar line of thought, he also took the micro blogging site Twitter where he said, " FYI I have fought the UPA more on censorship issues than the NDA. But you know what , there was no Nihalani then. So the paid trolls can FO."

After the press conference today, Anurag Kashyap wrote a long post on the issue on Facebook:

Earlier on Wednesday, Pahlaj Nihalani made allegations that filmmaker Anurag Kashyap took money from AAP and is doing this for publicity. Commenting on the allegation, Anurag said, “I feel ashamed in even defending myself on such an allegation (taking money from AAP).”

Amid the controversy over drug-themed Bollywood film 'Udta Punjab', its producers moved the Bombay High Court today (June, 8) seeking a copy of the order passed by Censor Board's Review Committee purportedly suggesting cuts in the movie and removal of reference to Punjab in it.