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Aamir Won’t Release Dangal In Pak As They Want To Cut The National Anthem And Indian Flag

byApurva Chikhale
7th April 2017
2 minute read

Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’ is the highest grossing film in Bollywood earning over ₹721.14 crore worldwide! The sports biopic has won our hearts with the amazing direction and acting skills.

Last year Pakistan had banned screening of Bollywood films against the backdrop of Pakistani actors and technicians being banned by Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association (IMPPA).

Earlier, this year, the ban in Pakistan was lifted and the distributors requested for ‘Dangal’ to be released in their country. Aamir Khan and the team were absolutely okay with the request as the Pakistani audience has always showered their love on Hindi films.

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But, there is a slight twist in the tale. The Pakistani censor board said that they would release the film only if two shots were cut from the film. According to the news published in Hindustan Times,

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“When the film went to the Pakistan censor board, they were fine with it except for two particular scenes towards the end — one in which the Indian flag is shown and another in which the Indian national anthem is played after Geeta Phogat (played by Fatima Sana Shaikh) wins the gold medal. The Pakistan censors wanted the scenes to be edited out before they gave Dangal the green signal.
Demand for the two cuts was surprising, because the film isn’t jingoistic in nature. It’s a sports-based biopic with no direct or indirect reference to Pakistan. The film only highlights India’s nationalistic sentiment, so what is the reason to chop off those scenes?”

 

So, in a hard-hitting response to this, Aamir khan decided to not release the movie in Pakistan. The economic loss due to this move would be around ₹10-12 crore but Aamir is willing to take the blow. The source says,

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“It will result in an economic loss to the tune of Rs 10-12 crore, as Pakistan is an important international territory vis-à-vis money, but he isn’t willing to edit the scenes in question. He is aware that not releasing the film could lead to piracy, but he is sure about what he won’t do.”

 

Aamir’s spokesperson has confirmed the news. The demand for removing the India’s National flag and the National Anthem is really bizarre. I mean the whole movie is based on an Indian wrestler! So proud of Aamir’s stand!

News Source: Hindustan times

Cover Image Source: 1, 2

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