'If you name it Udta Timbuktu, will people think it is not a film about Punjab?'

The CBFC has asked for 'Punjab' to be dropped from the title so as not to defame the state, say reports. But what about Punjabi music on 'dope shope', or just cold hard facts on drug use in the state, ask filmmakers
'Udta Punjab' projects a reality which is out in the open
There are no CBFC guidelines saying you can't use the name of a city or state. You can't run away from reality.Do you really think the audience is so silly that removing 'Punjab' means they'll think it's some fictional land? If you make it 'Udta Timbuktu,' will people think the film is not about Punjab but Timbuktu? 'Udta Punjab' is projecting a reality which is out in the open. Last year, I was shooting for 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' in Punjab and everyone was talking about the seriousness of the drug issue in the state. People are discussing it everywhere. You can't just dig a hole like an ostrich and believe no one can see you.
' Kabir Khan, filmmaker

Where were you when Punjabi singers were glamorising drinking and drugs?
I want to ask everyone who wants Punjab not to be associated with drug abuse, and who think the film will defame the state ' where were you when singers were glamorising drinking, smoking and substance abuse? You never banned their songs. Now, when a film is trying to highlight the problem, you think it's showing the state in poor light. Thanks to those songs, today, 'Punjabi' mean people who are drunkards, junkies and stalkers. What is 'Manali Trance' all about? Also, the government is engaging singers to spread a good word about the state to project that there are no issues here. I want to tell the singers who are blatantly lying, ki aap pind jayein toh zaroor visit a rehab centre. Bachche barbaad ho rahe hain. I have met them and have heard heart-breaking stories. I refuse to fool the people by saying Punjab mein drug problem nahi hai. This move to remove the state's name has come since the elections are coming.
' Jasbir Jassi, Punjabi singer
If you don't show the problem, how will people rectify it?
I am playing the role of Shahid's tayaji and mentor in the film. I don't know whether it is political or not, but it's very sad. In this case, what is rampant at a place has been shown, and if you don't show the problem, how are people going to identify with it and try to rectify it? It is something that has not been discussed, but it is happening in the state, and data is available to show that drugs are a huge problem in the state. The film fraternity has always been expressive about issues ' be it gangsters in UP, or other issues. Besides, filmmakers have made some really happy, good movies about Punjab too. You can't just hide reality.
' Satish Kaushik, who plays Shahid's uncle in 'Udta Punjab'

Issue-based classics like Bombay wouldn't even release today
Did we not have issue-based films based in real locales and with cities' names in the title, in the past too? In the current scenario, classics like Bombay would not even release. Things like setting and title are important for films like 'Udta Punjab'. Kamre mein baith kar aisi films nahi likhi jati. Research aur recce lagti hai bahut, reason hota hai title ke peechhe. Aise mein koi keh de ki title badal do ya references hata do, toh matlab hi change ho jaata hai. Also, If Punjabi singers talk about the same things in their songs, that is okay, but the moment Bollywood picks it up and brings it to the mainstream, people have a problem. This is not a professional disagreement, but very personal, and to an extent, political.
' Zeishan Quadri, writer of 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' and director of 'Meeruthiya Gangsters'

Filmmakers are always worried while making films on real issues
When I made 'Madras Cafe', I didn't have problems with the Censor Board because there was a different team at that time. I did face problems in releasing the film in Tamil Nadu because it was about the Tamil issue between Sri Lanka and India. In Tamil Nadu, the film didn't release at all. I think the Board has to move on. Cinema and people's minds have grown. I think news channels are much more dangerous than cinema. As filmmakers, we are always worried if we have films on real issues. Look at the US ' in every second film, they take the name of the US president and talk about what's right and wrong. They name the agencies or the cities. There are many other crass things that the censors need to stop, instead of films on burning issues. Do we stop making realistic films?
' Shoojit Sircar, director, 'Madras Cafe'

Our censor board has been reduced to safeguarding political interests
Objecting to a film based on a real location, incident or a person is nothing new. In our country, films are only considered as a mode of entertainment and nothing else. A filmmaker is not allowed to have a say on any issue, and a film is treated as a commodity which should avoid any controversy. If you look at it legally, then it is also very flimsy. It is beyond the Censor Board's purview to ask someone to change the title of their film, I think they are doing it because of their political interests. We all know that Punjab is going to have elections very soon and the Board is trying to avoid any controversy from the state. Our censor board has been reduced to safeguarding the political interests of the government and nothing else.
' Bikas Ranjan Mishra, director, 'Chauranga'

Dropped references would mean nothing
'Udta Punjab' is exploring the story of drug use and it is not a misrepresentation, everyone knows about the drug issue of Punjab. Then what is the issue with discussing the reality of the situation? If we are talking about a state-specific problem or the plot is about a particular place, then dropped references would mean nothing! Today's audience is extremely intelligent and hence if we leave it up to them to decide whether a story maligns a state or not, it's better. Whenever a realistic movie is being made, such questions are raised, but there are good things which are shown about cities too, so why should a picture only be rosy?
' Manav Kaul, actor