What’s the story?
Following a ban on Indian films last year, the Pakistani authorities recently allowed the release and screening of films from across the border. A few days ago, there were repeated requests from distributors in Pakistan for the release of Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal, that had smashed various national box office records.
However, there was a demand from the Pakistan censor board, according to the Hindustan Times, that caught the 52-year-old actor by surprise.
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A source close to HT said, “When the film went to the Pakistani censor board, they were okay with it except for two particular scenes in the end – one in which the Indian flag is shown and another in which the Indian national anthem is played after Geeta Phogat (played by Fatima Sana Shaikh) wins the gold medal.”
The Pakistan officials wanted the scenes to be cut if the film is to be released in the country. Khan subsequently decided that the movie will not be released in Pakistan since the film only highlights India’s nationalistic sentiment and has no direct or indirect reference to Pakistan.
In case you didn’t know...
Directed by Nilesh Tiwari, Dangal is a sports biopic based on the life of Mahavir Singh Phogat, played by Aamir Khan, and how he brought up and coached his daughters Geeta and Babita Phogat, who eventually went on to win gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.
It went to become Hindi cinema’s biggest ever blockbuster, earning Rs 385 crore at the box office.
The heart of the matter
In 2016, there was a great deal of political tension between the neighbouring countries following the terrorist attacks in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. As a result, theatre owners in Pakistan placed a temporary ban on the screening of Indian films in the country after Pakistani artists and professionals were banned by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA).
The ban had been recently lifted but after considering the demand made by the Pakistani authorities, Aamir Khan refused to allow the release of the film there. It is certain that there will be economic consequences as the producers will miss out on a large amount of viewership that it can get from Pakistan, but the actor is firm in his decision to not edit the scenes in question.
What next?
Whether the Pakistan censor board will change its stance or not, it remains to be seen. Such a block can lead to piracy but that is a price Aamir Khan is willing to pay, by the look of things.
Author’s Take
It is certainly a bold move by the actor and the demands made by the Pakistani authorities are surely unnecessary and excessive.
