'Udta Punjab' controversy: Filmmakers seek apology from Pahlaj Nihalani

Pic courtesy: ANI

Mumbai: The Indian Films and Television Directors Association on Wednesday asked censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani to apologize after he accused Anurag Kashyap of taking money from the AAP to make "Udta Punjab".

The Association, led by president Ashoke Pandit, demanded the apology after Nihalani suggested that Kashyap might have taken money from the Aam Aadmi Party to show Punjab in poor light through his co-production.

The AAP is a major player in Punjab, which will see elections next year. 

"We condemn the statement (by Nihalani). We demand an apology as soon as possible. This is not just an insult to Kashyap but to the film industry as a whole," said Pandit, also a member of the Central Board of Film Certificate (CBFC) which Nihalani heads.

Association members Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt and Zoya Akhtar apart from members of the "Udta Punjab" team -- Kashyap, Ekta Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and director Abhishek Chaubey -- addressed a conference here to discuss the censor's 89 cuts in the movie.

AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged that Nihalani's charge against Kashyap proved he had acted against the film on the direction of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Here's what some of the filmmakers had to say:

Mukesh Bhatt: I appeal to the Ministry to remove Pahlaj Nihalani, he doesn't deserve to be the CBFC chief.

Satish Kaushik: Normally film industry offers silent support,for first time we all have come out openly on a issue

Anurag Kashyap: Picchle do saal mein aisa kya ho gaya ki har film ko tribunal mein ja kar clear karwana pad raha hai

Ashok Pandit: Demand that Pahlaj Nihalani apologize for this statement(Anurag Kashyap taking money from AAP),insult to entire film industry.

While actor Shahid Kapoor said, "We all need to support the message this film is sending."