6 Bollywood films that got banned in Pakistan

Can you guess which one of these ranked as the most pirated films of 2017?

KARACHI: The government of Pakistan recently banned the release of the women-centric Bollywood film Veere Di Wedding. The Kareena and Sonam Kapoor-starrer was set to hit screens on June 1, however, the censor board deemed the film vulgar and obscene. This ban outraged fans in Pakistan and actor Swara Bhaskar's comments about the country only fueled the fire - against the Indian neighbours.

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While the ban on Bollywood releases in the country is currently the trending topic, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Here is a list of six Bollywood films that were not allowed to be screened in theatres across the country.

1. 'Padman'

PHOTO: HINDUSTAN TIMES

Starring Akshay Kumar and Sonam, Padman is based on the real life story of Arunachalam Muruganantham - a social activist from Tamil Nadu, India, who introduced low-cost sanitary napkins to villages in the country. The Federal Censor Board of Pakistan refused to watch the film because its storyline revolves around the subject of menstruation which is considered a taboo in the country.

2. 'Neerja'

PHOTO: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Featuring Sonam yet again, Neerja was also banned in Pakistan. The true story is based on a flight attendant of the same name who risked her life to save passengers on board at the Pan Am airline in 1986. The aircraft was hijacked by terrorists in Karachi. It's still unclear as to why the film was banned in the country because the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) claims that the film was never submitted to them for review.

3. 'Raanjhanaa'

PHOTO: BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA

It looks like Sonam's films have a tendency to be banned in Pakistan. Much like Veere Di Wedding, Padman and Neerja, Raanjhanaa also faced the same fate. Distributors of the film were asked to halt release of the film as it depicts an inapt image of a Muslim girl as she falls in love with a Hindu boy. CBFC termed Raanjhanaa to have a "controversial plot" and hence, barred its release.

4. 'Raazi'

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With Alia Bhatt in the lead, Meghna Gulzar's Raazi was also banned from releasing in Pakistan. Based on a novel Calling Sehmat, the film features an Indian spy who marries a Pakistani man during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. Due to the "controversial content" of the film, none of the distributors agreed to purchase the film either.

5. 'Raees'

PHOTO: BUSINESS OF CINEMA

Mahira Khan's Bollywood debut with none other than the King of Romance, Shah Rukh Khan, Raees was not screened in Pakistan. CBFC mentioned the film possesses questionable content and an inaccurate portrayal of Muslims as they were shown as violent criminals and terrorists. Later, Raees went on to become the most pirated film in 2017 leaving Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil and Jolly LLB 2 behind.

6. 'Pari'

PHOTO: INDIA TODAY

Anushka Sharma's much-awaited horror film Pari could not make it to Pakistani screens either. CBFC stated that the film's content promotes black magic, non-Islamic values and anti-Muslim sentiments. Nueplex Cinemas in Karachi had to refund the tickets that were already sold for the film.

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