The latest in the list of films to not release in Pakistan, is Vidya Balan's 'Begum Jaan'. Producer of the movie, Mahesh Bhatt said, “I was told by my distributor that Pakistan, as a policy, does not permit the import of films dealing with the issue of Partition. I requested the key officer of the Pakistan censor board to at least view the film and then take a decision. I was assured they would look into the matter. Sadly, I have not heard from them since. My distributor informs me that his office has been intimated that 'Begum Jaan' won't be imported into Pakistan.”
Hurt by Pak board's decision, Bhatt said, “I did not look at Pakistan just as a market to sell my wares. Yes, when 'Begum Jaan' was not viewed by their Censor Board, I was ridiculed by some of my close associates. That did hurt.” Shah Rukh Khan's 'Raees' and Taapsee Pannu's 'Naam Shabana' were rejected by the Pak Board this year. 'Begum Jaan' Director Srijit Mukherjee said, “It is the rule of someone's land which must be respected. Unfortunately, the common thread binding these two nations is the history and Partition is the integral tragedy connecting us. All the hatred can be traced back to it. Understanding and analysing it from a human view would help but it’s a pity they don’t want to. They are touchy and sensitive about this issue.”
