February 19, 2026 05:24 pm (IST)
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Your job is to certify films not censor them: Court tells Nihalani
Mumbai, Jun 10 (IBNS): Amid controversy over Shahid Kapoor's upcoming film 'Udta Punjab', The Bombay High Court on Friday told Central Board for Film Certification chief Pahlaj Nihalani that his job is to certify films not censor them.
"The word censor is not anywhere in the act. Your power is to certify films for public exhibition," the court observed.
Nihalani is under severe criticism of film personalities for the 89 cuts he has ordered on Udta Punjab. The CBFC has also asked to change the name 'Punjab' from the title.
The Bombay High Court is likely to pass its verdict on Monday on the producers' plea challenging cuts ordered by Censor Board on 'Udta Punjab', a film that deals with drug menace.
Reports said the hearing of the case was adjourned till Monday. The judgement will be pronounced then.
During hearing, filmmaker’s lawyer gave example to the court of movies like Delhi belly, Bandit Queen and Gangs of Wasseypur, that had been passed by the CBFC or the Central Board for Film Certification.
The CBFC lawyer told the Court that certain scenes in the movie are offensive and vulgar. While the dialogue “zameen banjar to aulaad kanjar” is abusive.
Co-produced by Anurag Kashyap, the film is directed by Abhishek Choubey.
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