Punjab NGO approaches SC seeking stay on 'Udta Punjab' release

The petitioner has said that the film projects Punjab in bad light, adding that the Bombay HC should not interfere with the censor board's decision

Challenging the Bombay High Court's order on the film 'Udta Punjab', a Punjab-based NGO today approached the Supreme Court seeking stay on the movie's release.

The petitioner has said that the film projects Punjab in bad light, adding that the Bombay High Court should not interfere with the censor board's decision.

The NGO named Human Rights Awareness Association sought an urgent hearing, but the apex court said that it would hear the matter only after the petition was cleared by the court registry.

The Bombay High Court had on June 13 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 date on June 17.

The bench refused to stay its order on a plea made by the 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.

Co-produced by Phantom Films and Balaji Motion Pictures, 'Udta Punjab', a highly talked about movie that is being keenly anticipated by a large section of youth, is based on substance abuse in Punjab.

The movie starring Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is slated for a June 17 release.