Bombay High Court order on 'UdtaPunjab' has set a principle: Expert

New Delhi Bureau Chief of Thomson Reuters Douglas Busvine on Monday said that Bombay High Court's verdict regarding 'Udta Punjab' has set an important principle.

"I think the episode of this whole affair is that the makers of this film have got some fantastic publicity. I think an important principal was set by the Bombay High Court. We are talking about certification, which is judging the suitability of a film for a particular audience," Bruvine said.

The High Court, on June 14, cleared the release of 'Udta Punjab', whose makers were locked in a dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). A division bench of the High Court directed the CBFC to certify the film within 48 hours to enable the makers to release it on its schedule this Friday.

The High Court, however, directed the makers to delete one scene and to display a revised disclaimer.

The bench refused to stay its order on a plea made by CBFC counsel to enable the board to appeal against it in the Supreme Court, saying the filmmakers have already spent a lot on the movie and its promotion and distribution.

Following are some other observations made by the High Court on ' Udta Punjab':

1. Filmmakers don't support drugs.

2. Characters show facets of menace.

3. No reason to delete Punjab from sign board.

4. Drugs availability highlighted.

5. Downfall of a rockstar depicted.

6. Cops struggling with drug menace.

7. CBFC not empowered by law to censor films as the word censor is not included in the Cinematograph Act.