It looks like Pakistan can get enough of censoring Bollywood flicks. After Udta Punjab and Dishoom, it is now Aanand L Rai’s production Happy Bhag Jayegi that has been banned by the Pakistani censor board.
With six days to the roadblock of Momal Shaikh’s Bollywood film Happy Bhaag Jayegi, the disappointed producer says, “India is more welcoming of Pakistan’s talent,” reports Hindustan Times.
“I feel proud to be part of a country, where I have the freedom to express myself.” So, would it be fair to say that India is more accepting of Pakistani talent? “Yes, definitely,” Anand said.
According to the Hindustan Times, when asked about the said ban, the director said he felt “sad for the people of Pakistan.”
According to him, “They have been deprived of so many things because of political pressures.”
The Raanjhanaa Director adds that people in the Hindi entertainment industry ‘understand creativity better’.
“But I don’t think we can compare the two countries,” he adds.
Commenting on the standard roles of the Khan’s of Bollywood who has cast Shah Rukh Khan for his next film, where he has SRK playing the role of a dwarf. When this caused one to ask his opinion on directors casting the Khans in stereotypical roles he explains, Anand says, “The Khans have done varied roles throughout their career. They tapped into their talent. They are intelligent and understand the process of film-making. It’s the audience that demands that SRK is shown in a romantic role or Salman be seen in an action-oriented one.”
The Tanu Weds Manu producer reveals he knows he is ‘ordinary’ and has become a director with difficulty but he loves story telling.
“But I love telling stories. I enjoy the process, and I don’t want to complicate film-making. I want to keep it simple, and I want to be known as a teller of small stories,” he said.