TWO BIG-TICKET films slated for release in the country, ‘Pathaan’ starring Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani blockbuster ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ have encountered inclement weather.
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairman Prasoon Joshi said so in a statement on Thursday the creators of “Pathaan” were commissioned to implement it “recommended changes … including the songs and sending the revised version”.
The move comes days after one of the film’s songs, “Besharam Rang,” starring Deepika Padukone in a saffron bikini. faced backlash on social media allegedly for “hurting Hindu sentiments”. The song was released on YouTube by producers Yash Raj Films (YRF) on December 12th.
The Legend of Maula Jatt, starring Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan, was due for release on December 30, according to announcements by multiplex chains INOX and PVR. “The distributor has advised that the film’s release in India has now been postponed indefinitely and we have not been given a new date or the reason for the release delay,” a spokesman for INOX told The Indian Express.
Zee Studios had acquired the distribution rights to the film, which would have limited releases in Delhi and Punjab. Zee Studios did not respond to a request for comment from The Indian Express.
The CBFC did not comment on the Pakistani film. But sources involved with the film’s release said announcements from theaters are usually “only made after CBFC clearance” has been obtained for the films. “Although there is no official ban on the release of Pakistani films in India, no Pakistani film has been released in the country following the insidious attacks of Uri and Pulwama,” the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, which oversees the CBFC’s functions, said.
‘Pathaan’, directed by Siddharth Anand, was due to be released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. In his statement, CBFC boss Joshi said: “The film recently reached the CBFC review committee for certification. The film went through the proper and thorough review process as per CBFC guidelines. The committee has guided the creators to implement the recommended changes in the film, including the songs, and to submit the revised version before theatrical release.”
In a follow-up statement released later, Joshi said, “The committee has kept an open mind on the costume colors. When the film comes out, the reflection of this balanced approach will be clear to everyone.”
Joshi said CBFC strives to find “the right balance between creative expression and audience sensitivity.” “While the process is properly followed and implemented, I must reiterate that our culture and beliefs are glorious, intricate and nuanced. And we have to be careful that it isn’t defined by trifles that take the focus away from what’s real and true,” he said in the second statement.
Joshi pointed out that there is “always a provision for creators to voluntarily make changes to their film and submit an agreed version,” Joshi said in regards to the film’s age appropriateness for each category.”
YRF did not respond to a request for comment from The Indian Express. Pathaan will mark Shah Rukh’s return to the big screen in a leading role after four years. His last film as a leading actor was “Zero” (2018). “Pathaan” joins the list of big cinema films, such as “Laal Singh Chaddha” with Aamir Khan and the fantasy action saga “Brahmastra” with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, which have to face boycott calls.
The Legend Of Maula Jatt would be the first Pakistani film to be released in India in more than a decade, following Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol (2011).
“It will be played in Punjab and some theaters in Delhi in INOX where there are Punjabi speaking people,” the program department of INOX Leisure Ltd said on December 26th.
On the same day, PVR Cinemas shared a release announcement on its official Instagram page, but deleted it soon after. “Introducing the Official Poster of #TheLegendofMaulaJatt! Come to PVR this Friday (December 30),” the post read. The release was also promoted by booking aggregators such as bookmyshow.
A remake of the 1979 Pakistani cult classic ‘Maula Jatt’, the 2022 version was released on October 13 in Pakistan and other countries and grossed over Rs 220 million at the global box office. The film stars a local folk hero named Maula Jatt against his nemesis Noori Natt, who is the leader of another clan.
As news gathered about the film’s release in India, posts appeared on social media citing alleged statements by one of the actors, Hamzi Ali Abbasi, “in support of the terrorist Hafiz Saeed”.
Soon after, Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) warned theater owners against showing the film and sent letters to various entities including Zee Studios, Movietime Cinema, August Entertainment and Tilak Entertainment.
MNS leader Ameya Khopkar said: “We would like to say to supporters of Pakistani artists in India that they too may face a boycott if any attempt is made to support them in any way.”
Earlier this month, Pakistan-based OTT streaming platform Vidly TV was banned in India for “streaming anti-India content”.