CBFC clears ‘Gully Boy’ for release in Pakistan

Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt-starrer will compete with ‘Kala Shah Kala’ at the local box office


ADNAN LODHI February 14, 2019
Official poster 'Gully Boy'

LAHORE: The Punjab Film Censor Board has cleared two upcoming Bollywood films – namely Gully Boy and Kala Shah Kala – for release in cinemas across the province. Both films were released on Thursday, February 14.

Besides this, the Sindh Film Censor Board, as well as the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), has given Gully Boy and Kala Shah Kala. As per a discussion with an official from the Distribution Club, the films will together occupy up to 90 cinema screens across Pakistan.

A member of the Punjab Film Censor Board revealed that the decision was made unanimously after the entire committee watched the two films together. The insider further revealed that the committee members had no objections to the content of Gully Boy or Kala Shah Kala as none of the dialogues or scenes go against their policies. Hence, they have given both the films a Universal rating, as have the Sindh Film Censor Board and the CBFC.

Gully Boy is a joint production between Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara director Zoya Akhtar, her brother, actor Farhan Akhtar, and producer Ritesh Sidhwani. Zoya has directed the project, which stars Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Vijay Raaz, Sheeba Chaddha and many others. It depicts the journey of a street rapper who rises from the slums of Mumbai despite a number of different hurdles that come in his way.

RANVEER

Kala Shah Kala, on the other hand, has been helmed by Punjabi film-maker Amarjit Singh and produced by Binnu Dhillon. It is being slated as a romantic-comedy wherein Dhillon himself plays a happy-go-lucky Punjabi boy who has trouble finding love due to his dark complexion. The film hopes to reinforce the idea that beauty is more than skin deep and promises to be an all-around entertainer, albeit without a superstar cast.

Bleep! Indian censors cut swear words from ‘Gully Boy’

“We are expecting a good response to both Gully Boy and Kala Shah Kala as they are both releasing on Valentine’s Day,” a senior member of the Distribution Club had told The Express Tribune earlier. “It is also our good fortune that the films are releasing at a time when there is no local and no other major international film releasing. The ones that came out earlier have already done their business.”

The official also shared that he is expecting Gully Boy to be the best film of Ranveer’s career. “We think it will be the best performance of the superstar. He is not only playing a rapper in the film but also the love interest of a Muslim girl named Safeena, who is played by Alia Bhatt. Fans will love to see both Ranveer and Alia in such different roles, as compared to their previous works and we are expecting a rush at the cinemas.”

He added, “Kala Shah Kala will be a great attraction for Punjabi film enthusiasts in Pakistan. It’s a rom-com with a beautiful, fun-filled love story. Together, the two films will be ruling the box office for the next couple of weeks. We’ve been advertising both the films for the last few months and their songs and trailers have also been appreciated by the public.”

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below. 

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ