MUMBAI: Released in 2016, Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab is a vital piece of socio-political cinema that fiercely confronted the drug abuse crisis in Punjab.
The gritty crime drama weaves together four interconnected lives: the drug-addicted rock star Tommy Singh (Shahid Kapoor), the migrant labourer Kumari Pinky (Alia Bhatt), the corrupt policeman Sartaj Singh (Diljit Dosanjh), and the activist Dr Preet Sahni (Kareena Kapoor Khan).
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Despite its compelling narrative and transformative performances, the film is best remembered for the historic censorship battle it fought.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) initially demanded 89 cuts, but the producers, led by Anurag Kashyap, won the case in the Bombay High Court.
The verdict, which allowed the film to release with minimal cuts, was hailed as a major victory for creative freedom, securing Udta Punjab's legacy as an uncompromising piece of cinema.
In a recent revelation, acclaimed actor Shahid Kapoor detailed the moment he was offered the role of the volatile rockstar Tommy Singh in the critically successful 2016 drama Udta Punjab.
The actor shared that his immediate reaction upon hearing the script was not one of excitement about the film’s potential success, but rather a deep-seated question of suitability, reflecting the profound shift the film would represent in his career.
During a discussion, the director of the film, Abhishek Chaubey, recounted the surprising nature of Shahid Kapoor’s casting.
Abhishek admitted that he himself was astonished by Shahid's enthusiastic acceptance of the complex and dark character.
The character of Tommy Singh was a manic, drug-addicted musician, a far cry from the 'boy-next-door' roles Shahid was often associated with at that point in his journey.
Abhishek recalled his own surprise, stating, "I wasn't expecting that because he is a hero, why would he play the character of this madman?"
Shahid, however, instantly recognised the opportunity to dismantle his pre-existing screen persona.
When asked about his quick decision to accept such an unconventional role, the actor explained his motivation was rooted in artistic challenge and growth.
Shahid asserted, addressing his fear of typecasting, "I will never get a chance to play a character like this. I will remain a Shahid Kapoor [by playing safe roles]. This is my chance to do something different."
The actor’s eagerness to transform and embrace a role that required immense emotional labour meant he was the first major star to sign the project, immediately agreeing once the full script narration was completed.
The director noted that there was never any doubt in Shahid’s mind about taking on the demanding part.
Furthermore, Shahid played an instrumental part in shaping the final cast. He was working on another film, Shaandaar, with Alia Bhatt at the time, and mentioned the Udta Punjab script to her.
Alia, also keen on taking on challenging roles, got incredibly excited, prompting Shahid to pass the script along—an event Chaubey was initially unaware of.
This organic enthusiasm from the lead actors significantly boosted the production's momentum.
The film, which focused on the severe drug abuse crisis in the northern state of Punjab, went on to become one of the most talked-about and defining films of 2016, validated by Shahid Kapoor's intense and widely praised performance.
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CREDIT: NEWS 18
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