'Udta Punjab' row hits new low as Anurag 'ashamed' over AAP link-up

For a while now, Shahid Kapoor-starrer 'Udta Punjab' has been making the headlines for one reason or another. But now, it seems like co-producer Anurag Kashyap has finally lost his cool with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) following the accusation that he has taken money from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Earlier today, Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani told a leading English channel that the 'Black Friday' maker may have taken money from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to show Punjab in bad light through this movie.

After the CBFC held back the film's certification, demanding 89 cuts in total, Kashyap slammed Nihalani for being an "oligarch" as the CBFC head.

Addressing the above issue in a press conference, the 43-year-old filmmaker said, "I feel ashamed in even defending myself on such an allegation."

Questioning the logic of modern censorship, he further said, "What happened within two years that every film needs to be taken to tribunal for clearance?"

Raising his voice in support of the Abhishek Chaubey-directorial, director Rahul Dholakia said, "The films we make are based on what happens in society, we don't imagine or create."

For Mahesh Bhatt, the censorship has reached a Saudi Arabia-level as it is suppressing the society's free thoughts.

He said, "We can't turn into a Saudi Arabia where there is opulence but no free thought in society."

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 that also stars Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh was slated to release on June 17, but is likely to get delayed.