'Udta Punjab' controversy: Censoring film will not fix state's drug problem, says Rahul Gandhi

Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that  censoring Abhishek Chaubey-directed 'Udta Punjab' would not fix the menace of drugs in the state.

The official account of the office of Rahul tweeted the following: "Punjab has a crippling drug problem. Censoring 'Udta Punjab' will not fix it. The government must accept the reality and find solutions."

Punjab has a crippling drug problem. Censoring #UdtaPunjab will not fix it. The government must accept the reality and find solutions. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 7, 2016

The row over the film, slated for release on June 17, escalated today with co-producer Anurag Kashyap hitting out at Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani, calling him 'oligarch' and 'dictator' and that it was like living in North Korea.

The Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh starrer movie that delves into how the youth in Punjab have succumbed to drugs, also unleashed political sparring, prompting Kashyap to ask parties to stay away from the censorship row.

Punjab goes to polls next year.

The makers of the film are said to have been asked by the Revising Committee of the Censor Board to remove all references to Punjab and to make 89 cuts.

Kashyap, however, said they are waiting for an 'official letter' from the Board in this regard, as per PTI.

I always wondered what it felt like to live in North Korea .. Ab to plane pakadney ki bhi zaroorat nahin.. — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 6, 2016

There is no film more honest than UDTA PUNJAB .. And any person or party opposing it is actually GUILTY of promoting drugs — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 6, 2016

I request Congress, AAP and other political parties to stay out of my battle. It's my Rights vs the Censorship. I speak only on my behalf — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016

It's my fight Vs a dictatorial man sitting there operating like an oligarch in his constituency of censor board, that's my North Korea — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016

Rest of you go pick your own fights. I will fight mine. — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016

So please don't colour my fight with any political affiliation because there is none. — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) June 7, 2016

Kashyap has been supported of several filmmakers including Karan Johar, Mahesh Bhatt, Ram Gopal Varma and Mukesh Bhatt. 

Following are some of the reactions from Bollywood:

#UdtaPunjab speaks of the reality of our times....censoring reality amounts to delusion.....the fraternity has to stand by what's right!! — Karan Johar (@karanjohar) June 6, 2016

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. — Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) June 7, 2016

Can the truth defame a state? #UdtaPunjabCensored — Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 6, 2016

Delusion or collusion? Why is the establishment so scared of films that mirror reality? #UdtaPunjabCensored — Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) June 6, 2016

No film shud b censored.Only b certified.Lot of blood,sweat has gone into d making.But d answer's2make brave films https://t.co/tgRfRQexFJ — Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) June 7, 2016

Dear @PMOIndia, please put an end to this constant BLACKMAILING of the film fraternity by the CBFC. Films aren't causing #India's problems! — रanviर_ डhoरeय_ (@RanvirShorey) June 7, 2016

(With Agency inputs)