The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has denied media reports that the authority had placed a ban on the screening of trailers of Indian film Ek Tha Tiger in Pakistan.
This announcement came after reports said that PEMRA has issued a letter to all cable operators to not show any promotions of Ek Tha Tiger.
“No, it is not true. I haven’t seen the story or heard such news. There is no such letter issued by PEMRA. As per my knowledge, we have not issued any letter to any cable operator regarding this movie. We issue letters to cable operators through broader instruction. It is in our law that no drama/cartoon movies can be aired against the sovereignty of the country. I’m surprised that you have a copy of the letter and I’m sitting in the PEMRA office and have no clue about the letter,” the PEMRA spokesman said.
Rumors were that Ashfaq Ahmed Jumani, regional general manager, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Sindh Province, sent a letter to all Pakistani satellite TV channels and cable networks on July 6,saying, Ek Tha Tiger is reportedly based on the activities of ISI and RAW.Besides, the basic theme of the story revolves around ISI with the objective to tarnish the image of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency. Keeping in view, all satellite TV channels and distribution networks (Cables TV/MMDS/IPTV) are directed to refrain from airing the promos/reviews of subject movie, till the time it is issued NOC from Central Board of Film Censors. The matter should be given utmost preference and due care be ensured to uphold the country’s image and any unintentional lapse in this regard be avoided.
However, when Nadeem H Mandviwalla, owner of Atrium Cinemas in Karachi, said that the news had been misinterpreted. “We have uploaded the letter that has been issued by PEMRA. Its just an assumption, because the trailer of Ek Tha Tiger mentions organisations like ISI and RAW. That is why the government is assuming that till the time the Censor Board allows it, the promotion of the film shouldn’t be done. It has not been banned, neither has the government said anything about banning it. It is a reservation and that will be cleared when the film comes out.”
He added, the PEMRA letter says the same thing. The rumours online that the movie has been banned are completely wrong. It is basically something that the state has to decide. Every state has its own policy. If the government decides on some policy, then you will abide by your government and we shall abide by ours. Such things keep happening like in the past, the movie Agent Vinod was banned in Pakistan. So it’s not a big deal. The government has its own reasons and only the government can comment on it. It is very inappropriate if I comment on it.
Kabir Khan Tweets: I will say it once more… #EkThaTiger is NOT anti Pakistan… This is the price we have to pay because unfortunately our industry has made insensitive and jingoistic films in the past… I am absolutely sure that once the censor board of Pakistan sees #Ek-… will be more than happy to show the film in Pakistan I can assure the millions of fans of Salman in Pakistan that #EkThaTiger will release in theatres in their country.
I’m still a newcomer in the industry but see the vast filmography of Yash Chopra & Salman Khan… and you will realize what Im saying.
Trust me.#EkThaTiger has no jingoism,no rhetoric.And it is NOT AN ANTI-PAKISTAN FILM!
In this day and age… its stupid to make films that are insensitive or derogatory to any country or community.
No ban on Ek Tha Tiger
