Director Madhur Bhandarkar had earlier tweeted his film was facing problems in Pakistan and might not be released here. PHOTO: KOIMOI
"Not at all. We have not received Calendar Girls for certification. In fact, we have not even received a request to recommend issuance of an NOC to it," claims CBFC Chairman Mobashir Hasan.
Read: The phantom menace: Lahore High Court stops screening of Indian movie on JuD plea
These rumours were ignited when director Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted concern over the release of his film Calendar Girls because of a few dialogues in the trailer:
We are told #CalendarGirls is facing problems for a release in Pakistan because of a dialogue the local distributors saw in the trailer...
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) September 15, 2015
According to Indian Express, the trailer seems to have caused a stir in Pakistan as it features this dialogue: "Pakistani girls are as bold as other girls. In fact sometimes they are bolder than the rest”. The trailer also shows a protest with people shouting slogans "Pakistani artist go back".
Madhur has requested distributors in Pakistan to watch the film and change their decision:
As somebody who's always tackled hard-hitting subjects sensitively, I earnestly request all distributors in Pak to kindly watch the film...
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) September 15, 2015
And assured them that it has no 'anti-Pakistan' sentiments:
I assure one & all that #CalendarGirls is NOT anti-Pak & WON'T hurt any sentiments. Sincerely pray Censor there watches & gives a go-ahead.
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) September 15, 2015
Local and Indian media quickly picked up on the news and people have since started making appeals for the film to be released in Pakistan:
@abasitpak1 @Paknewdelhi Appeal from @imbhandarkar ! for his upcoming @MMCalendarGirls rlease in Pakistan https://t.co/c2gcgkrAZA
— Ashish K Singh (ABP News) (@AshishSinghLIVE) September 15, 2015
@imbhandarkar madhur bhai u can directly contact wid pakistan chairman censorboard here on Twitter. Fakhr e Alam is on twitter
— Saadi (@sadi_198333) September 15, 2015
Needless to say, all of this is absurd given that no Pakistani distributor has even attempted to import the film as yet. The Pakistani audience isn't likely to be interested in watching it anyway given that it does not star any known Bollywood actors.
Read: Bangistan gets a ‘complete ban’ by central censor board
Perhaps an attempt to get some publicity? Remember Bangistan pulled a similar stunt?
The film is based on the life of models who take up the career of calendar girls. The trailer shows the gruesome reality behind the glossy life.
The film is slated to release on September 25 in India.
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