<div>"Udta Punjab", a drug-themed Bollywood film that was embroiled in a censorship row and multiple legal battles, was released across the country today as scheduled without any incident being reported barring protests by Shiv Sena activists in Ludhiana.<br /><br />Police took 30 activists of Shiv Sena (Hindustan) into preventive custody in Ludhiana after they tried to create ruckus when the movie screening was going on in a multiplex there even as tight security arrangements were put in place at various places across Punjab. They were later released.<br /><br />The Police said that security at cinema halls and multiplexes, especially in prominent shopping malls at various cities including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, was beefed up.<br /><br />In Ludhiana, Shiv Sena (Hindustan) leader Rajiv Tandon demanded that the film should be banned because it was defaming Punjab.<br /><br />The activists of the outfit tried to forcibly enter Goverdan Mall where the Abhishek Chaubey-directed film was being screened. Police, however,prevented their entry.<br /><br />No other untoward incident has been reported. The film starring Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh that delves into how a large number of youth in Punjab have succumbed to drugs had also triggered a political slugfest. The film was cleared by the courts with some directions like cutting one scene after its producers and the Censor Board were locked in a bitter row.<br /><br />The movie was said to have been released to favourable reviews and also received a thumbs up from the Hindi film industry with stars like Katrina Kaif, Pooja Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt praising the movie's gritty content and outstanding acting.<br /><br />"I thought it was a really outstanding film. Both Shahid and Alia have done an unbelievable job. Alia's performance is absolutely brilliant in the film. I think it is a beautiful movie," Katrina said.</div>
<div>"Udta Punjab", a drug-themed Bollywood film that was embroiled in a censorship row and multiple legal battles, was released across the country today as scheduled without any incident being reported barring protests by Shiv Sena activists in Ludhiana.<br /><br />Police took 30 activists of Shiv Sena (Hindustan) into preventive custody in Ludhiana after they tried to create ruckus when the movie screening was going on in a multiplex there even as tight security arrangements were put in place at various places across Punjab. They were later released.<br /><br />The Police said that security at cinema halls and multiplexes, especially in prominent shopping malls at various cities including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, was beefed up.<br /><br />In Ludhiana, Shiv Sena (Hindustan) leader Rajiv Tandon demanded that the film should be banned because it was defaming Punjab.<br /><br />The activists of the outfit tried to forcibly enter Goverdan Mall where the Abhishek Chaubey-directed film was being screened. Police, however,prevented their entry.<br /><br />No other untoward incident has been reported. The film starring Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh that delves into how a large number of youth in Punjab have succumbed to drugs had also triggered a political slugfest. The film was cleared by the courts with some directions like cutting one scene after its producers and the Censor Board were locked in a bitter row.<br /><br />The movie was said to have been released to favourable reviews and also received a thumbs up from the Hindi film industry with stars like Katrina Kaif, Pooja Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt praising the movie's gritty content and outstanding acting.<br /><br />"I thought it was a really outstanding film. Both Shahid and Alia have done an unbelievable job. Alia's performance is absolutely brilliant in the film. I think it is a beautiful movie," Katrina said.</div>