Mulk banned in Pakistan, director Anubhav Sinha writes to Pakistanis

The Federal Censor Board of Pakistan has banned Anubhav Sinha’s courtroom drama Mulk, set to hit the screens on August 3 . While the ban on Bollywood releases in Pakistan is currently the trending topic, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred.

In the recent past the Kareena Kappor and Sonam Kapoor-starrer, Veere Di Wedding was banned since the censor board deemed the film vulgar and obscene. Starring Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor, Padman was banned because its storyline revolved around the subject of menstruation which is considered a taboo in the country.

Alia Bhatt’s Raazi was banned due to its controversial content while Shahrukh Khan’s Raees was banned because of its in accurate portrayal of Muslims. Anushka Sharma’s Pari was banned on the grounds that the film’s content promoted black magic, non-Islamic values and anti-Muslim sentiments black magic, non-Islamic values and anti-Muslim sentiments. Sonam Kapoor’s Neerja and Raanjhanaa were also banned.

Anguished director of Mulk, Anubhav Sinha has written an open letter on Twitter to the citizens of Pakistan, exhorting them to watch the film even if illegally if they must:

The producer, Deepak Mukut, Soham Rockstar Entertainment said, “We are disturbed by this prejudiced verdict and it’s such an irony because our film talks about this very prejudice. We urge the Pakistani Censor Board to reconsider their decision. They will realise how essential it is to the well-being of the human race across the world.”

Presented by Kamal Mukut and Soham Rockstar Entertainment, a Benaras Media Works production, Mulk is produced by Deepak Mukut and Anubhav Sinha. The film features Rishi Kapoor, Taapsee Pannu, Prateik Babbar, Rajat Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Manoj Pahwa and Neena Gupta.