Ik Onkar makers to seek court aid against censors

Every time the filmmakers try and bring forth the prevailing issues of the society, either the censor board or the government intervene to make the release difficult. After movies like Lipstick under My Burkha, PK and Udta Punjab, the upcoming film Ik Onkar, based on the deteriorating conditions of Punjab, is stuck in the controversy.

Last year, Udta Punjab, the movie based on a similar storyline, was given 89 cuts by the CBFC but was cleared by the High Court later with only a single cut. What's surprising is that the censor board has straightaway denied releasing this movie at all. But what's so controversial about it?

"We have made this movie on the reality of Punjab. There are many issues, like land mafia, drug menace, women abuse etc, which have been ignored by the concerned officials. We tried to put light on such problems but somewhere the government does not want this to be brought forth. We got the certificate from countries like Australia, Canada, and USA. But when we approached the censor board in India, they didn't have a valid reason, which was really surprising," says Talwinder Singh, Producer.

He further added, "The movie doesn't disrespect any community. In fact, through this film, we are bridging the gap between two communities - Hindu and Sikh. The CBFC didn't even ask for any cuts. They just said 'the film provokes communal disharmony'".

After the movie was banned in India for provoking communal disharmony, Aam Aadmi Party extended its support to the makers so as to get the approval certificate from CBFC. In a recently held press conference, Somnath Bharti, MLA, Aam Aadmi Party, expressed his disappointment on the ban. "We are living under a visionless government. All small and big institutions are working under the Central government. I feel sad that a film like this has been banned from screening in India," he said.

"The Indian government somehow wants to divert

people's mind from all issues in society - no jobs, no

education, and no better environment. So, how will you keep the people busy? They do this by selling drugs," the minister further added. The movie, which was shot in 2015, was sent to CBFC the very next year. But after the board denied approving it, makers went on to approach FCAT but gained no positive result.

Aviraj Raj Sharma, Director of the movie feels that the corruption within the roots of the ruling body is what caters to such illegal practices.

"A statement from the central authority, that bans the movie showing the reality, actually gives me a hint that the government itself is supporting corruption," he said.

Now, the makers are left with only one option, which is to knock the doors of the court.