Anushka Sharma's thriller 'Pari' not to be screened in Pakistan
What's the story
Pakistan has banned Anushka Sharma's thriller film 'Pari', which released to mixed reviews in India on Friday.
Central Board of Film Censors Islamabad's chairman Mobashir Hasan told Dawn that it "flouts various sections of Code of Censorship for Films".
Notably, the censor boards of Sindh and Punjab had cleared 'Pari' with an adult certificate but revoked their decision after Islamabad board's ban.
Here's more.
Twitter Post
'Pari' unfit for public exhibition: Pakistan's CBFC
Imported film #Pari has been declared ‘Unfit’ for public exhibition by a panel followed by #CBFC’s Full Board review as it flouts various sections of the existing rules and code of #CBFC. Innumerable dialogues scenes r against the established religious, social and moral ethos. pic.twitter.com/g6ZGnNnhg6
— Mobashir Hasan (@BABUCRATE) March 2, 2018
Reasons
Why did Pakistan find 'Pari' problematic?
According to Dawn, Pakistan's CBFC declared 'Pari' "unsuitable for public exhibition" because it:
*Contains numerous scenes of black magic with Quranic verses and Hindu mantras being recited together
*Contradicts the existing rules and codes
When a distributor filed an appeal challenging the CBFC's decision, full board sat and unanimously decided not to screen Prosit Roy's directorial debut in Pakistan.
Aftermath
Pakistan's cinema hall to refund ticket money to audience
After CBFC's decision, Pakistan's Nueplex cinemas, which was geared up to screen 'Pari' this weekend, apologized to cinemagoers on Facebook, saying: "We have just been informed that PARI has been banned by the Central Board of Film Censors, Pakistan. Hence, it will not be screened at Nueplex Cinemas. Tickets already sold can be refunded from our box office. We apologize for any inconvenience caused."
Information
'Pari' released in India with an adult certificate
The supernatural thriller released in India on Friday with an adult certificate. 'Pari', which stars Anushka Sharma, Rajat Kapoor and Parambrata Chatterjee in lead roles, is set in Kolkata and Dhaka and explores several themes including djinns, exorcism and absurdist cults.