The lines 'Happy Bhaag Jayegi' crossed with its lines
Here's a list of scenes and dialogues the CBFC has recommended for excision
Happy Bhaag Jaeygi was expected to release worldwide on August 19. PHOTO: FILE
Another year, another banned movie. It seems, Pakistan just can't get enough of censoring Bollywood movies. This time around, it was our very own Momal Sheikh's Happy Bhaag Jayegi.
It has now been six days since the film's release has been blocked but the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is adamant not to call it an all-out ban.
And while we won't get any answers from the information ministry (who have actually blocked the release of the movie), the censor board's notes may point us in the right direction.
Momal Sheikh’s Happy Bhag Jayegi faces last-minute roadblock
The board's credibility has already taken a few hits (with Maalik being banned three weeks into its release) and now with Happy Bhaag Jayegi, the decision was handed over to a full board after a unanimous decision couldn’t be reached in the initial viewing.
The full board then recommended passing the film with "heavy excisions" with only one of eight members suggesting a complete ban on the film. Be that as it may, the members who reviewed Happy Bhaag Jayegi made some rather interesting observations which were then passed on to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
As per the censor notes shared with The Express Tribune, the CBFC had recommended the excision of several scenes and dialogues in total. Here’s the list:
Scenes
- Entire first scene of seminar/conference be excised
- Shots of slapping Pakistani policemen by Bagga be excised
- The dialogue in front of Quaide-Azam’s portrait , “ Or Kitnay Jhoot Bulwaogay” be erased
- The shot of Pakistani policemen saluting the photo of Gandhi on Indian currency note be excised
- Drinking scenes of Pakistani girls be excised
Here's why Momal Sheikh's Happy Bhag Jayegi hasn't released in Pakistan yet
Dialogues
- "Kaash Gandhi Pakistan Mae Hoti"
- "Bera Gharak"
- "Teri Behen Di. Teri Maa Di"
- "Suar Dae Puttar. Ben Dae Takkay"
- "Tension Pakistan Ko Honi Chahiye"
- "Bewqaoofon Ki Basti"
- "Kia Dais Hai , Jab Koi Baat Hee Nahin Karta, Bandoqq Dikhaye Baghair"
- "Teri Bhai Ki Shaadi Rukwanay Mae Parosi Mulka Ka Haath HaiIndia Ka Namak, Poora Pakistan Khaata Hai"
- "Teen Hindustanion Nae Lahore Ko Waqt Dala Hai"
An open letter to Pakistan from Happy Bhaag Jayegi's director
When the CBFC chairman was asked to comment on the development, Mobashir Hasan said the board had adopted a newer, much stricter policy against anti-Pakistan films.
“CBFC has zero tolerance towards any reference, overt, covert or subtle, that may demean the sanctity of Pakistan, its ideology, institutions and people. That is why we have even asked the distributors to not submit any film remotely against Pakistan for certification. It will be shot down immediately, even if the film stars a Pakistani actor,” Hasan told The Express Tribune.
It has now been six days since the film's release has been blocked but the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is adamant not to call it an all-out ban.
And while we won't get any answers from the information ministry (who have actually blocked the release of the movie), the censor board's notes may point us in the right direction.
Momal Sheikh’s Happy Bhag Jayegi faces last-minute roadblock
The board's credibility has already taken a few hits (with Maalik being banned three weeks into its release) and now with Happy Bhaag Jayegi, the decision was handed over to a full board after a unanimous decision couldn’t be reached in the initial viewing.
The full board then recommended passing the film with "heavy excisions" with only one of eight members suggesting a complete ban on the film. Be that as it may, the members who reviewed Happy Bhaag Jayegi made some rather interesting observations which were then passed on to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
As per the censor notes shared with The Express Tribune, the CBFC had recommended the excision of several scenes and dialogues in total. Here’s the list:
Scenes
- Entire first scene of seminar/conference be excised
- Shots of slapping Pakistani policemen by Bagga be excised
- The dialogue in front of Quaide-Azam’s portrait , “ Or Kitnay Jhoot Bulwaogay” be erased
- The shot of Pakistani policemen saluting the photo of Gandhi on Indian currency note be excised
- Drinking scenes of Pakistani girls be excised
Here's why Momal Sheikh's Happy Bhag Jayegi hasn't released in Pakistan yet
Dialogues
- "Kaash Gandhi Pakistan Mae Hoti"
- "Bera Gharak"
- "Teri Behen Di. Teri Maa Di"
- "Suar Dae Puttar. Ben Dae Takkay"
- "Tension Pakistan Ko Honi Chahiye"
- "Bewqaoofon Ki Basti"
- "Kia Dais Hai , Jab Koi Baat Hee Nahin Karta, Bandoqq Dikhaye Baghair"
- "Teri Bhai Ki Shaadi Rukwanay Mae Parosi Mulka Ka Haath HaiIndia Ka Namak, Poora Pakistan Khaata Hai"
- "Teen Hindustanion Nae Lahore Ko Waqt Dala Hai"
An open letter to Pakistan from Happy Bhaag Jayegi's director
When the CBFC chairman was asked to comment on the development, Mobashir Hasan said the board had adopted a newer, much stricter policy against anti-Pakistan films.
“CBFC has zero tolerance towards any reference, overt, covert or subtle, that may demean the sanctity of Pakistan, its ideology, institutions and people. That is why we have even asked the distributors to not submit any film remotely against Pakistan for certification. It will be shot down immediately, even if the film stars a Pakistani actor,” Hasan told The Express Tribune.