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Na Maloom Afraad 2 banned in Punjab after 5 weeks of screening

Na Maloom Afraad 2 banned in Punjab after 5 weeks of screening

The Punjab Film Censor Board cited "persistent complaints from different quarters" as its rationale for the move
Updated 06 Oct, 2017

Looks like the UAE isn't the only region where Na Maloom Afraad 2 has ruffled feathers.

The Punjab Film Censor Board has issued a notification that calls for the suspension of NMA2's screening in Punjab, citing "persistent complaints from different quarters" as its rationale for the move. The censor board has not elaborated on the exact parts of the film that were the cause of complaint.

— Screengrab
— Screengrab

The comedy film, starring Javed Sheikh, Fahad Mustafa and Mohsin Abbas Haider in key roles, revolves around the misadventures of the above trio as they embark on a get-rich-quick scheme in Cape Town... involving an Arab sheikh and his gold toilet.

"This is a really strange move by the Punjab Censor Board. We had already received clearance by the censor board and the film released in September with no issues," Nabeel Qureshi, director of the film, told Images. "Were they just not watching the film at that time?"

"To clear a film for screening and then ban it a month later sets a really bad precedent. It's just ridiculous," Qureshi said.

"Only 2-3 films get made in Pakistan every year that actually benefit the film industry. If you start banning those films where will that leave us?" the director added. "The censor board doesn't seem to have any issue with Indian films, which is even more strange to me."

"Also, the censor board issued the notification on a weekend so I couldn't even go to court to challenge [the ban] immediately," Qureshi said, adding he will take the matter to court, nonetheless.

The film was barred from screening in the UAE due to alleged misrepresentation of Arabs, but producer Fizza Ali Meerza has maintained that the ban "will not affect [their] ways of saying things".

In an earlier interview with Images, she said, "[In NMA2], we took a dig at the audacious sheikhs of the world who are frivolous spenders, who don’t give a da*n about the problems of the common man. We believe in commenting on social issues in our films, such was the character of the Sheikh."

Will the ban in Punjab change the NMA filmmakers' thinking? We hope not!

Comments

Mansoor Oct 06, 2017 05:16pm
Apparently our policies are no longer decided in Rawalpindi. Even UAE (NMA2), Turkey(Abduction of asylum seeker teacher) have direct lines with Punjab policy makers
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Asif naeem bhatti Oct 06, 2017 05:22pm
Excellent movie - WELL DONE!
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Common Sense Oct 06, 2017 05:55pm
Good to know they are not bowing to external pressure. Freedom of expression is something worth protecting.
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ss Oct 06, 2017 06:18pm
Most unfortunate and entirely unjustified
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Liaqat Oct 06, 2017 06:23pm
I must say this is absolutely ridiculous from the board.... As mentioned in the article. Indian movies which the censor board seems to be blind to or other movies which are made in Pakistan ( Pashto) Ban Bollywood movies first. Until they don't allow Pakistani movies in India...
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Khany Oct 06, 2017 07:53pm
What can I say about Pakistan which needs Imran Khan to build a reputation which is respected by others. Pakistan film industry which is a revolution is doing brilliant and dont downgrade it.
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SaD BUT TRUE Oct 06, 2017 10:37pm
@Liaqat You will go bankrupt without Bollywood. A fact.
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Aqeeq Oct 07, 2017 02:18am
Perhaps this has something to do with showing bikini clad dances, item songs and on-screen kisses in your movies? I mean safe to say, a common man is better off watching a Hollywood movie with PG13 rating than Pakistani movies where "item songs" are 5 minutes of just vulgar "Thumkas" and provocative dancing. But whatever, ppl pirate such junk anyway
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Adil Jadoon Oct 07, 2017 04:53am
@Asif naeem bhatti why? care to elaborate???
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N abidi Oct 07, 2017 08:45am
Pakistan should have one film censor board of educated person,who understand arts and films! These censor member are making a laughing stock of Pakistan . If they keep banning pak movies,then pak emerging film industry will not grow! Indians movies that are showing, they have no problems with it ,espically , with Indians artists that support the ban aganist pak artists,like ashkay Kumar and ajay devagan,and Roshans. Only movie they banned was Raees,that had our own Mahira khan. If this censor board keeps it up they will again destroy the pak film industry,because people on this board are not accountable to any one!
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mangoman Oct 07, 2017 09:09am
Looks like pressure from the middle east.
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asif Oct 07, 2017 01:06pm
It is a good movie why this ban?
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Liaqat Oct 07, 2017 01:59pm
@SaD BUT Pakistan survived with out them before and can do now also
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john Oct 07, 2017 04:12pm
This is a pathetic movie, the censor board is doing Punjabis a huge favor by saving their cash and time, great move!!
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Asad Oct 08, 2017 12:21am
@Khany I disagree, we don't need imran Khan.
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Alanore Oct 09, 2017 01:13pm
@Adil Jadoon It was good entertainment. It was very funny and well made.
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MOAZAM MAQSOO Oct 11, 2017 12:10pm
I THINK ITS A GOOD MOVE TO BE HONEST...ARAB SHEIKH AND GOLD TOILET SEEMS TO BE RACIST
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