Momal Sheikh’s debut Bollywood film, Happy Bhag Jayegi, has quickly become a case study on the Pakistani censor board’s random slashing of seemingly harmless Bollywood films. The film, which stars Abhay Deol as the son of former Pakistani governor (played by Javed Sheikh) and Momal as his fiancé, revolves around a runaway bride (Diana Penty) who ends up in Lahore to turn their lives upside down.
CINEFOCUS
from entering Pakistan…Pakistani actress Momal Sheikh’s Bollywood debut has been banned in Pakistan after initial delays.
Momal Sheikh’s debut Bollywood film, Happy Bhag Jayegi, has quickly become a case study on the Pakistani censor board’s random slashing of seemingly harmless Bollywood films. The film, which stars Abhay Deol as the son of former Pakistani governor (played by Javed Sheikh) and Momal as his fiancé, revolves around a runaway bride (Diana Penty) who ends up in Lahore to turn their lives upside down.
Released on August 19, the film has received mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike, but it has been lauded for projecting Pakistan in a positive light. Unlike its predecessors, the film does not have a strong political agenda as a backdrop to the plot but instead takes a humorous approach in highlighting the relationship between the two countries. Also interesting is how Pakistanis have not been portrayed stereotypically, covered from head to toe in burkas, and instead as a liberal, educated lot. With so many positives in its favour, why is it that the film failed to get a clean chit from the local censor board?
The film, which was expected to release in Pakistan on the same day as its release in India, was initially delayed as a decision was still pending at the review board in Islamabad. After a weekend of hanging by the thread, Happy Bhag Jayegi was eventually banned. So what exactly led to this decision? No concrete reasons have been given so far but it seems that the Board has issues with a scene that shows Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s portrait. The board was also not satisfied with Piyush Mishra’s character in the film; he portrays a Pakistani policeman who jokes about Kashmir and is fond of Kapil Dev and Dilip Kumar. The film also features some cultural jokes but all in good humour, report Pakistanis in Dubai who have seen the film.
It’s important to note that while a Pakistani film like Na Maloom Afraad has the liberty to take a dig at its own country’s societal flaws, it appears we are not willing to accept the same from others.
One can also argue that it’s not like Pakistani films are given space on Indian screens (we’ve seen a completely unrelated film like Bin Roye fall prey to political policies in India) but the whole point of cinematic exchange is to promote peace and perhaps be more tolerant.
Coming back to the issue, the filmmakers and cast have been upset by the unexpected ban. While Momal has expressed her disappointment, producer Anand L Rai told Hindustan Times that such measures only take an entertainment source away from the common man.
“The censor board of Pakistan saw the film and they loved it. They wanted us to cut a minor part of the film. We agreed to it. Initially, I was told that the film is clean. Later, we were informed that a ministry in Pakistan had objected to the film. As a filmmaker, the only greed I have is that the movie should reach a larger audience. The political reason for which a film is banned has nothing to do with a common man,” he said.
