How a gritty film about Punjab's drug crisis sparked a battle for artistic freedom

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When the 2016 film Udta Punjab exposed the state's severe opioid crisis, it triggered a massive confrontation between filmmakers and India's censors. The government demanded nearly 90 cuts, fearing the movie would damage political reputations. The resulting legal showdown became a landmark moment for creative expression in Indian cinema.

Released in June 2016, Udta Punjab depicts the intersection of drug abuse, political corruption, and the lives of four individuals caught in a cycle of addiction and exploitation. The narrative explores how the state's opioid epidemic affects everyone from wealthy musicians to migrant laborers. While the film was praised for its unflinching look at a genuine public health emergency, it faced intense scrutiny from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The conflict began when the CBFC, led by Pahlaj Nihalani, demanded 89 cuts, including the removal of all references to the state of Punjab. Critics and filmmakers argued that the board was acting as a political tool to protect the ruling coalition ahead of the 2017 legislative elections. The producers eventually took the matter to the Bombay High Court, which ruled in their favor, allowing the film to be released with only a single scene removed—a moment depicting a character urinating on a crowd.

Beyond the censorship battle, the film highlighted a complex reality. Punjab has one of India's highest rates of opioid dependence, with prevalence estimated at 0.84% in 2015. While the film portrays the exploitation of migrant workers, data shows that the majority of those struggling with opioid use are actually local residents, including educated professionals. The film's success, earning approximately 1.5 billion rupees worldwide, underscored the public's appetite for stories that confront uncomfortable social truths.

The production itself was marked by high stakes, with lead actors Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Kareena Kapoor Khan halving their fees to ensure the project's completion. Despite a pre-release leak of the film—which some suspected originated from the censor board itself—the movie became a commercial and critical success. It remains a significant example of how art can challenge political narratives and force a national conversation on neglected public health crises.

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