“Banning Dangal Was a Mistake”: Maryam Aurangzeb Opens Up About a Decision She Regrets Deeply

Maryam Aurangzeb, senior Punjab minister and former Information Minister, has expressed deep regret over the ban on Aamir Khan’s iconic film Dangal, calling it a decision that continues to weigh heavily on her conscience.

During an interview, Aurangzeb was asked about a decision she wished she hadn’t made during her time in office. Without hesitation, she replied, “Banning Dangal was something that should not have happened.”

Aurangzeb recalled that at the time, she was newly appointed and had not yet seen the film. Caught in the bureaucratic tide of an existing ban on Indian films and advised by the censor board, Dangal was swiftly lumped in with others — a casualty of a political climate.

“I hadn’t watched it, and there was already a blanket ban on Indian cinema. It was presented with a list of other films, and without deeper scrutiny, it was banned,” she explained.

It wasn’t until a year and a half later that she finally watched Dangal — and what she saw left her shaken. The film, based on the true story of Indian wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters Geeta and Babita, not only broke box office records but also shattered gender stereotypes in sports.

“Since then, I’ve carried this burden,” she said. “It moved me. It empowered me. It was not just a film — it was a message.”

Aurangzeb’s admission has sparked a broader conversation across social media. Many are praising her honesty, acknowledging that few politicians publicly admit mistakes — especially ones tied to politically charged decisions. Others are calling for a more nuanced and culturally open-minded approach to cinema bans moving forward.

Dangal, released in 2016, remains one of Bollywood’s most internationally acclaimed films. Maryam Aurangzeb’s regret is a quiet call for reconsidering how we approach art, culture, and the stories that deserve to be heard, regardless of which side of the border they come from.

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