Bollywood has a massive fanbase not only in India but also in Pakistan; however, despite the popularity of Indian cinema across the border, many Bollywood films have faced bans in Pakistan due to political tensions, cultural sensitivities or religious reasons.
Here’s a list of such 11 movies which are banned in Pakistan:
1. Padman (2018)
Director: R. Balki
Reason for Ban: Taboos surrounding menstruation and religious sensitivities
“Padman” which is based on the true story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, an innovator who created affordable sanitary pads for women, aimed to break societal taboos around menstruation. The film is widely regarded as a progressive and empowering portrayal of women’s health and the need to address menstrual hygiene issues openly.
However, in Pakistan, “Padman” was banned due to the subject matter, which deals with menstruation—a topic still considered taboo in many parts of South Asia. The Pakistani government deemed the film inappropriate for public screening, citing its “sensitive” content and arguing that it wasn’t fit for the “cultural context” of the country.
2. Raazi (2018)
Director: Meghna Gulzar
Reason for Ban: Espionage and negative portrayal of Pakistan’s military
“Raazi” is based on the true story of an Indian spy who marries into a Pakistani family during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. While the film was praised for its storyline and performances in India, it was banned in Pakistan for depicting Pakistan’s military negatively and promoting espionage themes.
3. Phantom (2015)
Director: Kabir Khan
Reason for Ban: Anti-Pakistani narrative and terrorism
“Phantom”, a political thriller, revolves around the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, with the plot focusing on India’s fight against terrorism. It depicts Pakistan as a safe haven for terrorists, particularly character of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the attacks. This led to a legal battle in Pakistan, culminating in a ban as the film was perceived to portray Pakistan in an unflattering light.
4. Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
Director: Kabir Khan
Reason for Ban: Espionage and cross-border conflict
Starring Salman Khan, “Ek Tha Tiger” is an action-packed film about an Indian spy who falls in love with a Pakistani secret agent. While the film’s theme of cross-border romance might seem positive, Pakistani authorities banned it due to its depiction of espionage activities and strained India-Pakistan relations.
5. Agent Vinod (2012)
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Reason for Ban: Espionage and anti-Pakistan sentiment
“Agent Vinod” is a spy thriller featuring an Indian intelligence officer’s mission to thwart a Pakistani-based terror plot. Due to the portrayal of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies and the depiction of the country as a terror haven, Pakistan’s Central Board of Film Censors banned the film. They cited its “negative image” of Pakistan as the main reason for its prohibition.
6. Tere Bin Laden (2010)
Director: Abhishek Sharma
Reason for Ban: Political satire and Osama Bin Laden’s portrayal
“Tere Bin Laden” is a satirical comedy that revolves around an aspiring Pakistani journalist who creates a fake video of Osama Bin Laden to achieve fame. The film’s humorous take on a politically charged subject did not sit well with Pakistani authorities who saw it as mocking a sensitive issue. As a result, the movie was promptly banned.
7. Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)
Director: Anil Sharma
Reason for Ban: Political narrative and anti-Pakistani sentiments
“Gadar: Ek Prem Katha” starring Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel is a love story set during the partition of India in 1947. The film’s narrative revolves around an Indian Sikh man named Tara Singh who falls in love with a Pakistani Muslim woman Sakina against the backdrop of intense political conflict between India and Pakistan. The movie portrays India as the victim of the partition and Pakistan as the antagonist, with several scenes showing Pakistanis in a negative light.
8. Baby (2015)
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Reason for Ban: Anti-terrorism plot and negative portrayal of Pakistan
“Baby” is an action thriller about a secret Indian intelligence unit tasked with eliminating terrorist threats, many of which are shown to be originating from Pakistan. The movie was banned for portraying Pakistan as a terror base and painting its intelligence agencies in a poor light.
9. The Dirty Picture (2011)
Director: Milan Luthria
Reason for Ban: Explicit content and inappropriate for public viewing
Inspired by the life of South Indian actress Silk Smitha, “The Dirty Picture” is a bold film that explores the darker side of the entertainment industry, including issues like exploitation and sexism. Pakistani censors found the film’s s*xual content and bold scenes unsuitable for audiences, resulting in its ban.
10. Pari (2018)
Director: Prosit Roy
Reason for Ban: Un-Islamic content and supernatural themes
“Pari”, a horror film featuring supernatural elements, was banned in Pakistan for promoting “anti-Islamic” content. The movie involves paranormal activities, demons and cult practices which were deemed inappropriate for Islamic cultural values by the Pakistani authorities.
11. Raees (2017)
Director: Rahul Dholakia
Reason for Ban: Misrepresentation of Muslims and crime-related content
Shah Rukh Khan’s “Raees” faced a ban in Pakistan due to its portrayal of the Muslim community and its connection to crime. The movie follows the life of Raees Alam, a bootlegger in Gujarat, India, whose illegal liquor trade eventually draws him into the criminal underworld. While “Raees” was a commercial success in India, the Pakistani censor board objected to the film’s depiction of Muslims and found that it glorified criminal activities, which they believed reflected poorly on the community.
Do you know about more such movies? Add to the list.
