Film industry should come together: Rohit on 'Udta Punjab' row

Amid the censorship row over "Udta Punjab", filmmaker Rohit Shetty feels the film industry should come forward and take a stand against the censor board.
Many Bollywood personalities have come out in support of "Udta Punjab", which is embroiled in a controversy with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over various cuts suggested for the movie.
The "Dilwale" helmer said he understands what the makers of the film must be going through, considering a lot of money that is riding on the movie.
"What I am worried about is, as a director and a producer, when you make a film a lot of money is spent. There is a lot of hard work of many people. The film was to release on Friday (June 17). I don't know what has happened today. What they must be going through, they only know," Rohit told reporters.

"But I can understand being a producer and a director because the release was to happen on Friday but according to the rules, if they don't get a certificate by tomorrow or day after tomorrow, then they won't be able to release the film," he said.
The director was speaking at a World No Tobacco Day event for Cancer Patients Aid Association last night.

Rohit said the film industry has always struggled with the board and it is about time they unite and "solve" the problem.
"It is always happening with us. We (film industry) all need to come together and solve this problem once for all. It will take time. Gradually, people have started raising their voice and they are being heard. It will take a little time but it will happen for sure."

Produced by Phantom films and Balaji Motion Pictures, the Abhishek Chaubey-directed film, that delves into the drug menace in the state of Punjab, faced troubles with CBFC which demanded 89 cuts in the film. It also included removing the word "Punjab" from the movie as well its title.
The 42-year-old "Chennai Express" director said everyone is clueless about the exact problem the board has with the film.
"Nobody knows what exactly is the problem. If you see the list, they are saying 'remove Punjab', 'can't say MLA, MLC'. But why they are doing that, nobody knows. If you see, Ekta (Kapoor), Anurag (Kashyap), all are questioning the (rationale of) censor board," he said.

"As far as I know, no political party or organisation has sent a letter to the censor board. They are doing it on their own and why they are doing it, we don't know," Rohit added.