CBFC says 'will comply with HC's decision' on Udta Punjab

With 'Udta Punjab' getting the nod with one cut, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) CEO Anurag Srivastav today said that they would comply with the Bombay High Court's decision.

"Whatever the order is, we will respect it and we will try and comply with it," he told the media here.

Srivastav, however, said that it would not be possible for him to comment further at this time as they are yet to study the High Court's judgement in detail.

"It's not like that we have been denied to approach the Supreme Court. We did ask for a stay, but the stay was not granted to us," he said.

"But that doesn't mean that we cannot approach the Supreme Court if we want to. But it's not like that we are planning to do that or anything," he added.

Srivastav said it is not a set-back for anyone, adding it is a normal process which is being followed for examining and revising any film.

The High Court earlier in the day cleared the release of 'Udta Punjab', whose makers were locked in a dispute with the 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.

The High Court, which heard a petition filed by Phantom Films challenging the CBFC order, came down heavily on the board for curbing a creative person's work.

The High Court noted that the CBFC is not empowered by law to censor films, as the word censor is not included in the Cinematograph Act.