Aamir Khan to not release Dangal in Pakistan as censors demand chopping of India’s flag, anthem

Aamir Khan’s blockbuster Dangal won’t be releasing in Pakistan as the censor board across the border has ordered cuts in the film. Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) wants the scenes featuring the Indian flag and national anthem to be chopped off. 

This, obviously, hasn’t gone down well with the actor, who is also the co-producer of the film. His spokesperson told IANS that as the scenes are crucial to the spirit of the film, the actor has decided against releasing the film in the neighbouring country. India’s national anthem plays an important role in the climax of the film. 

Mobashir Hasan, Pakistan’s Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) head, told IANS over social media, “Yes, the board unanimously decided to skip two scenes.” Asked why the Indian flag and anthem needed to be cut, Hasan said, “The decision is the collective wisdom of the board.”  

The news comes just over two months after Pakistani film exhibitors and cinema owners lifted a self-imposed ban on the screening of Indian films in the wake of heightened tensions with India over the September 2016 terror attack in Uri that left 19 Indian soldiers dead. 

Khan’s spokesperson told a publication, “Pakistan had been very keen on releasing the film and several distributors had been talking to us, but after their censor came back with a demand for two cuts, Aamir Khan decided to stall the release. Not only are the scenes pivotal to the film, there's nothing jingoistic that is demeaning towards another country or person. He felt that the demand seemed unreasonable so we either release the film as it is or not at all.” 

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Dangal is inspired from the life of the Indian wrestler, Mahavir Singh Phogat and his efforts in training his two daughters to become wrestling champions. The film won many a hearts and it earned a whopping Rs385 crore-plus collection in India.

- With inputs from IANS.