Ashoke Pandit on ‘Udta Punjab’: “We demand an apology from Pahlaj”

It seems everyone has an opinion on the ‘Udta Punjab’ censorship controversy. While, the makers await the verdict from the Mumbai High Court on the release of the film, other prominent personalities have slated CBFC’s chief, Pahlaj Nihalani.

Mahesh Bhatt was cited in Mumbai Mirror talking about his films ‘Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain’ and ‘Zakhm’ running into trouble with CBFC, he said, “A society that does not respect its free thought sows the seeds of its own destruction. Pahlaj (Nihalani) had fought shoulder to shoulder with me against the censorship laws. It is tragic that this film, that holds the mirror to and shames the Indian society, is being strangulated.”

Meanwhile, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit criticised Nihalani for alleging Kashyap had financial support from political parties. He said, “We demand an apology from Pahlaj. It’s an insult not just to Anurag or the film but to the entire film industry.”

It is yet unclear if ‘Udta Punjab’ releases next week.