CBFC should only classify films: Shabana Azmi

Veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi says the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should neither censor nor certify films, instead only classify them.

The 65-year-old's comment came after the censorship controversy that surrounded director Abhishek Chaubey's directorial "Udta Punjab", where the makers got into a battle with the censor board, which first suggested as many as 89 cuts in the movie. Thereafter, its Revising Committee asked for 13 cuts.

The Bombay High Court on Monday cleared the film for release with one cut and three disclaimers.

"CBFC should become a body that does not censor or even certify only classify films. That gives the audience the choice to watch a film or not," Shabana tweeted.

"Udta Punjab", which stars Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh, is expected to release on Friday.