The much-awaited Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s historical movie, _Bajirao Mastani _has been banned in Pakistan, according to a media report.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) of Pakistan, which reviewed the film due to its historical content linked to subcontinent as denied the permission to screen the film, terming it as anti-Islam and ant-Muslim.
Earlier, it was believed that the film would be banned due to its intimate scenes. However, the authorities have rubbished these reasons behind their action.
“Firstly, the film is in Hindi and our ordinance does not allow Hindi films to be screened. Secondly, it is a historical drama that is indirectly against Islam and Muslims,” said Mobasher Hasan, chairman of the CBFC, according to a report in The Express Tribune.
He also added that intimate scenes in the films was not the major concern of the censor board.
The love story between Maratha leader Peshwa Bajirao I and his second wife Mastani, a half Hindu and half Muslim is said to be the sticking point.
Interestingly, the film was cleared by other two censor boards of the country: Sindh Board of Film Certification (SBFC) in Karachi, Punjab Censor Board in Lahore. The boards have cleared the film with no or a few cuts.
The film distributors, who have sought for another full board review of the film, are hopeful that the film will be cleared by the CBFC based in Islamabad.
Bajirao Mastani, which release this Friday, stars Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. The film clashes with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale.
