Don't kill creativity, says Madhur Bhandarkar on 'Udta Punjab'

Amid the ongoing spat between the makers of 'Udta Punjab' and the Censor Board of Film Certification, director Madhur Bhandarkar on Thursday reiterated Bollywood megastar Amit Bachchan's assertion that one should not kill creativity and expressed hope that a solution would emerge soon.

"I like what Amit ji said yesterday don't kill creativity because every filmmaker makes a movie with lot of passion, commitment and integrity," said Bhandarkar.

The film-maker further said he believes Shyam Benegal-led committee constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will come up with a solution.

"Let us appreciate the fact that Shyam Benegal committee is there constituted by the Modi government and I am sure that it will come out with a solution so that we filmmakers get liberty and are able to exercise fundamental rights and make the kind of cinema we want to make," said Bhandarkar.

"I believe the Modi government is the first dispensation to look in the matter and has constituted this committee of eminent filmmakers. I believe we will come out of it," he added.

Rubbishing allegations that the parameters in the CBFC differ in every film, veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal has said that movies are creative expressions of different individuals and not made on a 'factory floor'.

"Films are not made on a factory floor. No two films are alike. There are creative expressions of different individuals. So, you cannot think that everything will fit in the same set of rules. There has to be a certain set of interpretation in the context of the country itself.that is why you have people there to certify films," he told ANI here.

Benegal, however, refused to comment on the CBFC's demand of 89 cuts in total in the Abhishek Choubey directorial venture.

With the 'Udta Punjab' issue turning into a war between the makers and CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, the producers yesterday moved the Bombay High Court seeking a copy of the committee's order on the film.

The makers were apparently even asked to drop 'Punjab' from the title and it was suggested that the film be set in a fictitious backdrop instead of a particular state.

Sources close to the Censor Board indicate towards political pressure being put in wake of the Punjab assembly elections slated to be held early next year.

Co-produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures, ' Udta Punjab' stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Punjabi singer- actor Diljit Dosanjh besides others.

The film, which attempts to bring on screen the problem of drug abuse among the youth of Punjab, is slated to release on June 17.

However, it now seems the release is likely to get delayed courtesy political interference.