Censor Board demands 40 cuts: Has Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's Udta Punjab been banned?

If recent reports are to be believed, the Censor Board members aren't much happy with Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's upcoming film Udta Punjab. The film, directed by Abhishek Chaubey, landed in trouble for excessive use of abusive language. And now the latest report says Censor Board has demanded 40 cuts. This spat has got people talking about the film that was already quite the buzz in the town for its trailer and songs already released.

ALSO READ: Did Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's film Udta Punjab run into trouble with Censor Board?

Udta Punjab focuses on the issue of drug abuse in Punjab. According to sources, the cuts demanded by Censor Board include a number of expletives, a song and several visuals of substance abuse. The filmmakers, instead of approaching the Revising Committee of the CBFC, went straight to the Tribunal in the hope of a clearance with nominal cuts.

A rumour that Udta Punjab has been banned altogether was doing rounds but film's producer Anurag Kashyap cleared the air tweeting the film has not been banned.

For the record ,"Udta Punjab" is not banned. The examining committe has deferred the decision to Revising and due process is on. Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016

And due process takes it own time so please abstain for spreading a BAN rumour. There is nothing to speak on the subject as of now. Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016

A film is banned only when examining, revising and FCAT all three refuse certificate . And then you fight it out in Supreme Court Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 28, 2016

Recently, even Amitabh Bachchan was asked about his take on the entire issue at his film TE3N music launch. He said, "I think the government has some rules and regulations and they have formed the Censor Board for it (film clearance). They (the Board) have they their own rules. I don't know the reason why they did it to them (makers of Udta Punjab). I think that the producers and the board would know."

Earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal's MLA Khem Karan Virsa Singh Valtoha had said that the film is an outcome of a trend to defame Punjab and its youth. He has also expressed reservations over the portrayal of Punjabis in the film as he believes they have been shown in a bad light.

And now the fate of the film depends on the approval by the Censor Board. Apart from Shahid and Alia, the film also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh in pivotal roles. Udta Punjab is set to hit the screens on June 17 this year.