Soumitra welcomes 'Udta Punjab' verdict

Welcoming the Bombay High Court verdict allowing Bollywood film "Udta Punjab" take flight, overruling the censor board's suggestion of 13 cuts, thespian Soumitra Chatterjee said there was no need for any censorship imposed from above.

"I will say it is a correct and good judgement, because I principally don't believe in any censorship imposed from above."

The octogenarian said it was for the spectators to judge if something needs to be censored.

"If the spectators think a portion is anti-national, or has crossed the limits of decency, they will take a decision and shun that film."

Chatterjee said the Bombay High Court verdict has proved there was no provision of censorship in the Indian Cinematrography Act.

However, he refused to hold the political class as a whole for controversies related to censorship.

"There are those doing good politics. Why should they be blamed? It is the oppressors, those doing the politics of oppression, who should be held responsible," he said.

At the same time, Chatterjee harboured hope that the verdict would change the overall scenario connected to such issues.

"Politics is all pervading. The 'Udta Punjab' issue is one such happening. But the overall scenario will not change. Because is the system changing?" he asked.

--IANS

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