CALENDAR GIRLS, directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, is the latest to face the heat in Pakistan. The local distributors have reportedly refused the movie stating the Pakistan Censor Board doesn’t want to see it because of a particular line in the trailer.
The dialogue in question is — “Paksitani ladkiyaan bhi utne hi bold kaam karti hain jitni baaki ladkiyaan karti hain, balki kabhi kabhi uss se zyada bhi” —spoken by Avani Modi who plays Nazneen Mallik, a Pakistani girl aspiring to become a supermodel.
The Pakistan Censor Board has apparently deemed this dialogue as demeaning to their women and they do not want to even view it for certification, says a source. Therefore, the film may not release in the neighbouring country.
Producer Sangeeta Ahir of ManglMurti Films, says, “It is unfortunate that such a decision has been taken without even viewing the film. One should not make a judgement on the basis of just one dialogue. Instead, they should see the film in totality. I’m hoping the Pakistan Censor Board change their mind as there is nothing derogatory about anyone in the film.”Ashok Ahuja, Head of Distribution for the production house, says, “The distributors from Pakistan are wary that their Censor Board could reprimand them severely for the objectionable dialogue, and have hence taken the self-censorship route and declined our film.
They probably fear that the board’s negative reaction could jeopardise their license to distribute other Bollywood films as well. On our part, we’ve told them to view Calendar Girls, that is scheduled for release on September 25, before making any decision and we are sincerely hoping that they consider our request. Incidentally, the Dubai authorities have cleared it and we’re releasing it in 40 screens there.”
