Aamir Khan's 2016 blockbuster "Dangal," a sports drama based on the real-life story of the Phogat sisters, was a massive success in India and across the globe. However, it never saw a release in Pakistan. The reason behind this has resurfaced, with Aamir Khan revealing the details of the situation.
The issue arose when the Pakistan censor board requested that two specific scenes be removed from the film. These scenes depicted the Indian flag and the Indian national anthem. The request was made despite the fact that "Dangal" is a sports biopic with no direct references to Pakistan. Aamir Khan, who also produced the film, found this demand surprising, as he didn't consider the film to be jingoistic in nature.
According to Aamir Khan, the Pakistan censor board wanted the scenes with the Indian flag and the national anthem removed. He stated that he was told to remove the flag and national anthem if he wanted the movie to release in Pakistan. Aamir Khan decided against releasing "Dangal" in Pakistan because of these demands. He felt that these scenes were crucial to the spirit of the film.
The decision to not release "Dangal" in Pakistan was a difficult one, as it meant a potential loss of revenue. Pakistan is an important international territory for Indian films, and "Dangal" was expected to do well there. Reports suggested that the film could have earned ₹10-12 crore in Pakistan. Despite the potential financial loss, Aamir Khan stood firm on his decision. He was unwilling to compromise the film's integrity by removing the scenes that celebrated Indian nationalism.
The situation occurred amidst strained political tensions between India and Pakistan. Prior to this incident, Pakistani film exhibitors and cinema owners had temporarily banned the screening of Indian films following the Uri attacks in September 2016. While the ban had been lifted by the time "Dangal" was offered for release, the censor board's demands created a new obstacle.
Aamir Khan's decision was met with mixed reactions. Some lauded him for his patriotism and for standing up for his beliefs. The Maharashtra government, in fact, passed a resolution congratulating Aamir Khan for not releasing "Dangal" in Pakistan. Others criticized him, accusing him of being anti-national and questioning his motives.
Despite the controversy, "Dangal" went on to become the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide at the time, earning over ₹2,000 crore. While Pakistani audiences missed out on seeing the film in theaters, "Dangal's" success was not diminished by its absence from the Pakistani market. The film received critical acclaim and resonated with audiences for its powerful story of determination and female empowerment.
The "Dangal" controversy highlights the complexities of cultural exchange and censorship in the context of political tensions. While Aamir Khan was willing to release his film in Pakistan, he was not willing to compromise on its core values and message. His decision serves as a reminder of the importance of artistic integrity and the challenges that filmmakers face when navigating sensitive political landscapes.
