Bollywood’s latest release, ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ featuring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan is expected to release in Pakistan. According to the latest report, the distributor has applied for the NOC to the Information Ministry of Pakistan.
Back in 2019, the government of Pakistan placed a ban on the show of Indian movies in Pakistani cinemas. Since then, the cinemas had been showing local and Hollywood movies. If the government allows, Laal Singh Chaddha would be the first Indian movie to be screened in Pakistan after a hiatus of almost three years.
The film is being globally distributed by Paramount Pictures and is imported into Pakistan by the Cinepax Media group.
Aamir Khan starrer #LaalSinghChaddha could get a green signal to be released in Pakistani cinemas. According to film analyst Ali Zain, ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ has been submitted for NOC and likely to be released in #Pakistan. He announced the news on his official Twitter account. pic.twitter.com/YBNLym4Y37
— TheCivilEyes (@TheCivilEyes) August 11, 2022
Saad Baig, the General Manager of the Cinepax Media Group, while talking to Express Tribune stated that,
“We have applied for the NOC with the Information Ministry. If we receive the NOC, then the film will be released in Pakistan.”
The representatives of the Central Board of Film Certification and the Sindh Board of Film Certification have denied any such Indian releases in Pakistan. But sources in the Information Ministry said that the NOC has been applied for the movie.
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“Our policy is the same,” an official at the Federal Information and Broadcast Ministry told the publication. “No Indian film or any project produced in India will be released in the country.” The source added, “Laal Singh Chaddha is an Indian film and following our policy, the Ministry did not issue any NOC for the release of Indian film in Pakistan.”
Sindh Censor Board says they have received any request. The speculations say the film first has to be cleared by the Information Ministry, CBFC and then it will be applied for review by the provincial board for review.
Industry insiders believe the film might get a nod to be released in Pakistani cinemas.