Dangal: Pak censor board want national flag, anthem scenes cut
Two months after Pakistani cinema owners lifted a self-imposed ban on screening of Bollywood movies, they sought that the blockbuster 'Dangal' be screened in their movies. However, they were in for a surprise when Aamir Khan, actor and producer, refused. According to Hindustan Times, Khan's refusal came due to the Pakistani Censor Board's order to cut two scenes featuring the Indian flag and anthem.
Dangal: Pak censor board want national flag, anthem scenes cut
Two months after Pakistani cinema owners lifted a self-imposed ban on screening of Bollywood movies, they sought that the blockbuster 'Dangal' be screened in their movies. However, they were in for a surprise when Aamir Khan, actor and producer, refused. According to Hindustan Times, Khan's refusal came due to the Pakistani Censor Board's order to cut two scenes featuring the Indian flag and anthem.
"Surprising" demands from the Pakistan censor board
According to sources, "When ('Dangal') went to the Pakistan censor board, they were fine with it except two scenes - one in which the Indian flag is shown and another in which the Indian anthem is played. (They) wanted the scenes to be edited out."
Khan refuses to cut scenes despite losses
Khan, however, rejected the demands, as the sports-based biopic wasn't "jingoistic in nature", and "with no direct or indirect reference to Pakistan". "The film only highlights India's nationalistic sentiment, so what is the reason to chop off those scenes?" asked the source. Despite an estimated loss of Rs. 10-12cr, Khan wasn't willing to edit the scenes as asked by the Pakistani censor board.
What next?
Khan's refusal to release the film might lead to piracy, which could cause losses of crores of rupees for the producers. However, Mobashir Hasan, head of Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors, said the local distributor, Geo Films, could still choose to release the movie.
Aamir Khan's tryst with 'anti-nationalism'
Ironically, when the movie starring Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Zaira Wasim was released, a section opposed the film by the "anti-national" star, who had in 2015 created a controversy over his intolerance comments. #BoycottDangal trended on Twitter, with many abusing him for 'PK' which "insulted" Hindu gods. A sedition case was also filed against the star in August 2016 over his comments.
Not the first time for the Pakistani censor board either
This isn't the first time Pakistani censors had issues with Bollywood movies since the ban was lifted. Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees' was refused permission as it "portrayed Muslims in a negative light"; Akshay Kumar's 'Jolly LLB 2' had to undergo massive cuts before releasing.
