Hope we have certification rather than censor: Bachchan

Amid the censorship row surrounding "Udta Punjab", megastar Amitabh Bachchan today said that there should be a system that "certifies" a film than cuts its content.
The 73-year-old National Award-winner is the latest celebrity to join the debate over the issue of censorship concerning Anurag Kashyap-produced "Udta Punjab", which was raised after the censor board allegedly demanded 89 cuts in the film.
"I hope we can device a system where there is certification rather than censor. Don't try and kill creativity. We all must have the freedom to create because we are in this field and all we have is our soul to create," Bachchan told a TV news channel.

He said it is unfortunate that the makers had to move court, which might result in the film's delay.
"When you kill our creativity, you kill our soul. That would be detrimental to progress per say. I am not aware of 'Udta Punjab' issue. But it is unfortunate that there is going to be a delay that they have to fight their way to the high court," he said.
"But that there have been instances with me in the past as well where films were denied release and we had to go to higher authorities. Eventually, creativity won. But yes delay was something that one had to cope with," Bachchan added.

The actor feels a censor problem at the time of a film's release acts as a "setback" for the maker as all the aspects from distribution to marketing are ready by then.
"If you are dissatisfied with something, there is a tribunal, there are courts and there have been cases where eventually the maker has gone to court and come out with the decision that is pro him.
"The only problem comes when the censor problem of a problem comes at the time of release and everything is set up-- distribution, set up, publicity, theatres, publicity, marketing. At this point, if there is an obstacle to get certification then it sets you back. That is really bothersome.