After censor board objection, 'Udta Punjab' may see cuts

With 10 days left for its release, Shahid Kapoor-starrer "Udta Punjab" has courted controversy again after the censor board purportedly raised certain objections regarding references to Punjab following which the film may have to go through some changes.
The movie, slated to be released on June 17, also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh and is produced by Anurag Kashyap's Phantom Films and Ekta Kapoor-led Balaji Films.
According to sources close to the production houses, the makers of the Punjab-set drama, which deals with drug abuse in the state are contemplating making changes in the names of locations following an exhibition before a Revising Committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

"The makers are planning to introduce a fictitious place in the film instead of Punjab," one of the sources said.
Sources in the CBFC said the Revising Committee of which its chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani was a part had viewed the movie but did not disclose the decision of the panel.
"The movie was reviewed by the Revising Committee recently," a source said but emphasised that "no show cause notice has been given to the filmmakers."

Repeated attempts to contact Nihalani did not materialise.
However, the social media was abuzz with comments related to the movie, with many suggesting name of alternative titles. Some of the reports and comments also linked the issue to the assembly elections in Punjab, which are due next year.

In the past also, "Udta Punjab" had courted controversy after there were rumours that it was banned by the censor board.