The Pakistani Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) has reportedly banned Bollywood film Happy Bhag Jaayegi, a cross-border romantic comedy. According to reports, the film was banned because it shows a portrait of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the father of the nation. Directed by Mudassar Aziz, the film stars Abhay Deol, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal and was released on 19 August.
The Producer of the film, Anand L Rai, had confirmed that Pakistan had an issue with a scene showing a portrait of Pakistani leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The censor board also had a problem with Piyush Mishra’s character of a Pakistani policeman. However, instead of asking for more cuts in the film, the board decided to ban the film. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Rai said, “The censor board of Pakistan saw the film and they loved it. They wanted us to cut a minor part of the film. We agreed to it. Initially, I was told that the film is clean. Later, we were informed that a ministry in Pakistan had objected to the film. As a filmmaker, the only greed I have is that the movie should reach a larger audience. The political reason for which a film is banned has nothing to do with a common man.”
Prior to the ban, on 20 August, Pakistan’s CBFC Chairperson Mobashir Hasan had told The Express Tribune that the board had approved the film for public viewing with an 8:1 ratio in favour of the film. “Under the Motion Pictures Ordinance of 1979 and Censorship of Film Rules act of 1980, the ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has the right review the board’s decision,” he was quoted saying.
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The delay in the release has irked Pakistani actress Momal Sheikh who is making her Bollywood debut with the film. “A decision is still pending, so I’m just waiting for their response. It was a big day for me with a lot of mixed feelings; I’m excited yet nervous as it is my (Bollywood) debut film. I usually don’t complain nor do I (harbour) any negative (feelings) but this incident has really upset me,” Sheikh said.
The ban on Happy Bhag Jaayegi comes weeks after Pakistan’s CBFC banned the Varun Dhawan and John Abraham starrer Dishoom. Dishoom deals with the kidnapping of an Indian cricketer just 36 hours before the final match between Pakistan and India. The censor board had opposed to this, claiming that the film showed Pakistan in a bad light.
Feature Image Credit: IndianExpress.com