Bollywood Films That Were Banned Due to Political Reasons

It is said that Indian Film Industry is a hotbed of controversies and it is indeed not an understatement. Although the industry is becoming liberal in its approach, but still, films based on sensitive subjects run on the risk of getting banned. Here is a list of Bollywood films that ran into trouble due to political reasons:

1.       Phantom (2016)

The political thriller film starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif is yet to release on August 28. Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of 26/11 attacks have filed a petition in the Lahore high court seeking ban on the Kabir Khan directorial. The Jamat-ud-Dawah chief has claimed that the film has “venom against Pakistan and JuD”. He also wrote, “Indian propanda films against Pakistan are part of Indian terrorism in Pakistan. We demand immediate ban on all such movies”.

2.       Bangistan (2015)

The Riteish Deshmukh starrer film was banned in Pakistan and UEA, as the two countries found the content of the film offensive. The story of the film revolves around 2 suicide bombers, who are persuaded into an explosive mission.

3.       Unfreedom (2015)

The trailer of Raj Amit Kumar’s film came with a message: banned in India, and indeed the film was banned in the nation. The Central Board denied the rating to the flcik due to thematic concerns of the film, specifically same sex relations and religious fundamentalism in India. It was said that the film will intensify clash between Hindus and Muslims.

4.       Haider (2014)

The film, which is an adaptation of Hamlet, starring Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Kay Kay Menon and Shradha Kapoor was banned in Pakistan due to controversial elements related to Kashmir.

5.       Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

The Frahan Akhtar starrer film based on the life of athlete Milkha Singh couldn’t release in Pakistan, especially because of Farhan’s dialogue “Mujhse nahi hoga. Main Pakistan nahi jaonga. (I can't do it. I won't go to Pakistan)”.

6.       David (2013)

The Bejoy Nambiar film couldn’t pass the “basic criteria given by the Pakistani Censor Board” and hence was banned.

7.       Ek Tha Tiger (2012)

The Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer film couldn’t get permission to release in Pakistan due to its depiction of Pakistan's security agencies.

 8.       Lahore (2012)

The Sanjay Puran Chauhan's film was objected by the Censor Board and hence couldn’t release in Pakistan. The film is about India and Pakistan showing the 2 countries torn apart in politics.

9.       Tere Bin Laden (2010)

The film starring Ali Zafar depicted the character of Osama Bin Laden in a comic way and also had vulgar and objectionable content, which led to its ban in Pakistan.

10.   Khiladi 786 (2012)

The Akshay Kumar starrer film was banned in Pakistan, stating that it will hurt the religious sentiments of the people there. The film had a sacred significance for Muslims.

11.   Parzania (2007)

The film starring Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika is true story based on the life of Pithawala family trying to trace their mission son, who disappeared after the Gujarat communal riots in 2002. Bajrang Dal of Gujarat provoked the theatre owners to screen the film, leading to ban of Parzania in Gujarat.

12.   Firaaq (2008)

The film based on post-Godhra riots was critically acclaimed at many festivals in other countries but unfortunately the film couldn’t be approved to release in Gujarat. The film starred Naseeruddin Shah, Deepti Naval, Paresh Rawal, Raghubir Yadav, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Shahana Goswami, Amruta Subhash, Sanjay Suri, and Tisca Chopra.

13.   Black Friday (2004)

Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed film based on the 1993 riots, Black Friday, was initially banned in the country. The film based on the book Black Friday – The True Story by Hussain Zaidi was stuck with the Censor Board for 2 years. The censorship certificate was granted to the film on the condition that it will have a disclaimer right at the beginning that the film is based on a book and did not accuse any innocence or guilt on characters depicted in the flick.

14.   Fanna (2006)

The Aamir Khan and Kajol starrer film couldn’t release in Gujarat, due to the PK actor’s stand on Narmada Bachao Andolan, which annoyed the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, who threatened to ban the film unless they receive an apology from the actor. But Aamir Khan didn’t take back his support for people displaced by Sardar Sarovar project.