B-Town stands for Udta Punjab, against CBFC

New Delhi : After Censor Board asked Udta Punjab makers to remove reference of the state, it was expected that film industry will comment strongly over this.

Filmmakers including Karan Johar, Mahesh Bhatt, Ram Gopal Varma among others on Tuesday criticised Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for censoring the content of upcoming film "Udta Punjab".

Udta Punjab deals with the drug abuse amongst youngsters from the northern state of India. And CBFC has asked for several cuts and much more to certify the movie.

"#UdtaPunjab speaks of the reality of our times...Censoring reality amounts to delusion... The fraternity has to stand by what's right!!" Johar posted on Twitter.

Sudhir Mishra, who has had his share of run-ins with the board, tweeted, "No film shud be censored. Only be certified. Lot of blood, sweat has gone into the making. But the answer is to make brave films."

Bhatt, whose daughter Alia is playing one of the leads in the film, said censorship is similar to ignorance.

"Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance". Is Pahalaj Nihalani listening? The Censors says I am the one who says the last sentence on UDTA PUNJAB .The nation can say what it wants our verdict is going to stick. Why should I censor myself to nourish ignorance."

Film maker Hansal Mehta also registerd his anger via social networking site.

"What is this I'm hearing about #UdtaPunjab? Makes me very, very angry. Can the truth defame a state? #UdtaPunjabCensored Delusion or collusion? Why is the establishment so scared of films that mirror reality? #UdtaPunjabCensored," tweeted an agitated Hansal.

Bollywood even went up to PMO and asked him to intervene in the matter.

"Dear @PMOIndia, please put an end to this constant BLACKMAILING of the film fraternity by the CBFC,” said Ranveer Shorey.