Arun Jaitley, information and broadcasting minister said that movie certification norms will soon undergo “some very radical changes”; amid a raging row over ‘Udta Punjab’. He said, he was “not satisfied” with the existing system of film certification.
It might be recalled that Udta Punjab, a film that portrays the problem of drug addiction in the state of Punjab, has been in a bitter fight with CBFC with both parties claiming the version of their statement to be true, prompting many in the indsutry to join the protest by the makers of the film.
The CBFC has allegedly contended that Udta Punjab, a drug-themed film, due for release on June 17, needs several cuts on the ground that it shows the state in a bad light by giving an impression that most of the people of Punjab are drug-addicts. Commenting on the row, Jaitley said, “I think that we are overstating it because at the end of the day you have a Board which takes a view which may be a little conservative view but then at the appeal tribunal with an appeal it can get disposed off."
He told to look at the big picture where film-makers who don't agree with certification board's decision can appeal and in almost 99% of the cases, the film gets cleared with or without some changes.
Udta Punjab literally means ‘Flying Punjab’, a reference to the inebriating effects of drugs. Regarding the changes in film certification he said, “There is a well documented report by Shyam Benegal, the first part of which has come to me and is under consideration. Over the next few days we are going to announce some very radical changes."
