Mumbai: Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi says he is optimistic that the CBFC will move to certifying films rather than censoring, which, he feels is beyond their assigned duty.

Many Bollywood personalities have come out in support for the upcoming movie “Udta Punjab”, which is embroiled in a controversy with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over various cuts suggested for the movie.

When asked about his take, Vivek told reporters, “We hope that India moves from censorship to certification. Certification is what the censor body is supposed to do. That is their responsibility, their duty but I think they are going beyond that.” The “Masti” actor said he is hopeful that the current government will make some reforms with regards to the Censor Board. “I am very confident that this government, which is a very progressive government, will make sure that sweeping reforms are brought in,” he said. Phantom Films, the producer of “Udta Punjab”, which is aggrieved by an order of the revising committee of the CBFC that suggested changes in the film before its release on June 17, had moved the HC over the cuts. The board’s suggestions include removal of abusive words from dialogue, certain words from the songs, references to Punjab and places in the state, and deletion of close-up shots of actors injecting the drugs. The 39-year-old “Saathiya” star said it is unfair to put a hindrance in a movie just when it is about to release. “When money has been invested and the film is about to release, if you drop a bomb like this at the last moment then that is very unfair. And that is not a good sign for any industry,” he said. “If you put restrictions on any industry you tell them that you can’t manufacture a certain product. But if it has already been manufactured and about to be sold at shops, you can’t say this cannot be sold. That is unfair. Something like this is happening with us (film industry),” Vivek added. — PTI