Supreme Court clears release of Udta Punjab

The Supreme Court of India refused to stay release on Bollywood movie Udta Punjab, while hearing a petition filed by a Punjab-based NGO.

The NGO- Human Rights Awareness Association-had moved the Apex Court to halt the screening of Udta Punjab, which addresses drug menace issue in the State.

READ ALSO: See how drugs are smuggled into Punjab from Pakistan and what is the reality of its destruction in the State

The vacation bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and L. Nageswara Rao has asked the NGO to approach Punjab & Haryana High Court.

Udta Punjab, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh, was mired in controversy after the censor board has asked for 13 cuts and issued an A-certificate.

Then, Udta Punjab’s makers including director Anurag Kashyap had approached Bombay High Court, which directed for movie’s release with just one cut and ‘A’ certificate.

The NGO then moved the Supreme Court saying that Bombay High Court cannot rule on what cuts can be made in a film, adding the film depicted Punjab in a negative vein.

READ ALSO: Udta Punjab will be released with just ONE cut and A-certificate

Meanwhile, there were reports that the unedited version of Udta Punjab were released online and the cyber cell is looking into the issue.
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, in a tweet, asked for support to free speech and not opt for pirates and piracy win.

The film is slated for release on June 17.