Rishi kapoor’s latest film titled Mulk has earned him a lot of praise. The film revolves around the struggles of a Muslim family after one of the family members is found to be involved in a terrorist attack. While the movie has mostly been appreciated for promoting the message of co-existence and harmony, a section in India though of it as being ‘pro-Muslims.’
In Pakistan, the film’s trailer was banned as “its contents flouted the Censorship of Film Code, 1980,†as stated by Danyal Gilani, Chairman, Pakistan’s Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC). Mulk was released worldwide last month with the exception of Pakistan which led to conflicting reports with the makers claiming it was banned in Pakistan while CBFC said the movie was never submitted to the censor board for a review, hinting that none of the Pakstani distributors were in fact interested in it.
Whatever the case, lead actor in the film Rishi Kapoor has now said he regrets that the film was not released in Pakistan. “I’ve been getting sweet text messages from all over the world [about his performance]. My only regret is that the film was banned in Pakistan. Perhaps because we showed that Indian Muslims continue to be heckled with that awful line, ‘Go back to Pakistan’. I wish they would reconsider the ban,†he said in an interview with Mumbai Mirror.
Earlier, director Anubhav Sinha too had penned an open letter to Pakistan, urging the audience here to watch the film illegally if they had to. “Why is it that they do not want you to see the film that talks about co-existence? I know, sooner or later, you will have access to the film. Please do watch it and give me your opinion on why did the Pakistan censor board ban the film. I really wanted you all to see this film legally, but do watch it illegally, if you must, though our digital team at home is working hard to stop all piracy,” he had written.
A letter to Pakistan. Sorry a question really!!! #MULK in Theaters tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Ak1MogByWK
— Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) August 2, 2018
