Amarinder to release uncensored copy of 'Udta Punjab'

Chandigarh, June 9 (IANS)  Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today announced that he will be releasing the uncensored copies of the movie Udta Punjab in Majitha in Amritsar on June 17, the scheduled date of the release of the movie. He said, since Majitha like Mexico, is the epicenter of drug trade in Punjab it was decided to release the movie there.
Capt Amarinder has written to the producers of the movie, Anurag Kashyap and Ekta Kapoor urging them to provide the uncensored CDs so that he can release it on the scheduled date to coincide with the worldwide premier of the movie on June 17.
The former Chief Minister said that the purpose of releasing the movie in Majitha was to tell the Akalis and the BJP that no matter to what extent they try to go to gag the truth, he will expose it at any cost.
“Not only do we want to highlight the harsh reality of Punjab, but also assert the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by our constitution which is being infringed upon by the BJP at the behest of the Akalis, using the Censor Board”, he said in the letter to the producers.
Capt Amarinder also clarified to the producers that all the legal onus of releasing the uncensored CDs of the movie will be on him only. “I guarantee you that I will take the entire responsibility of the legal implications, if any, for releasing the uncensored CDs as we want truth to be told no matter at what price”, he said.
The PCC president said, he had purposely chosen Majitha in Amritsar district for the release of the movie, as not only has the town (Majitha) turned into Punjab’s Mexico, but also for the reason that the name has become synonymous with ‘chitta’ (the synthetic drug) that has destroyed and devastated an entire generation in Punjab.
Capt Amarinder also clarified that in order to ensure that the commercial interests of the producers are not hurt, the movie will be shown only on the day of release at Majitha, as protest and defiance against the dictatorial attitude of the Censor Board, and also in border areas as people there rarely get a chance to watch the movies in theatres.
Congratulating the producers for portraying the harsh reality of Punjab on the big screen, the Amritsar MP said, the people of Punjab acknowledge with heartfelt gratitude their (producers’) efforts to present their plight to the world. And they will do everything to ensure that the noble purpose with which the movie has been made is served well.
At the same time he had a dig at Censor Board Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani for his unfailing devotion towards the BJP with his irrational attitude and utterances. “His behaviour during the ongoing controversy over Udta Punjab is enough to remove and disqualify him for any such future assignments”, Capt Amarinder said, while pointing out how Nihalani had started leveling accusations against the producers of the movie.