Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, relieved as 'Udta Punjab' hits the screens

Mumbai: Actors Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt took a sigh of relief after "Udta Punjab" finally made its way to the theatres on Friday despite all the controversies, and were happy with the initial response to the film.

"It's been a very positive response till now. We just want to come out here and see how it's going. And we are just really happy that the film is released and everything is out there. At the end of the day you work really hard to try different things to see a reaction," Alia said, present along with her co-stars Shahid and Diljit Dosanjh at a theatre here to see the people's reactions.

The film faced numerous struggles right from the beginning with the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) suggesting cuts and the makers knocking the doors of the high court to get permission to release the film. When that controversy resolved, the film was leaked before its release.

Shahid said, "The film has to face difficulties at every stage, difficulties to make it, all things that happened before the release, what happened in the court or what happened before with the CBFC. But today is a day of joy because of the response that the film has got. We have come here to only thank all who went to the theatres and watched the film."

"We are extremely happy. After a film releases only the audiences have the right to decide which film they like and which film they do not like. Actually we were definitely very nervous that the film has leaked, we were scared but today when the opening was good, we were extremely relieved."

Alia's character of a labourer from Bihar, with aspirations to become a hockey player, has been appreciated. Is Alia expecting awards for it? "If I get an award I will be happy but I want the audiences' approval and happiness."labourer from Bihar, with aspirations to become a hockey player, has been appreciated. Is Alia expecting awards for it? "If I get an award I will be happy but I want the audiences' approval and happiness."

"So much has happened with the film, we have put in so much hardwork, it's been such a difficult journey, today (Friday) is going to be the day for me to just be grateful that I got the opportunity to play this character and I thank Shahid because he had sent me the script," Alia said.

"Udta Punjab" also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan.