Happy Bhag Jayegi Gets Banned In Pakistan

Momal Sheikh’s Bollywood Debut Film – Happy Bhag Jayegi has been banned in Pakistan for showing a portrait of Muhammed Ali Jinnah.

Happy Bhag Jayegi is supposed to be Indian-Pakistan love story but it seems love’s path is not as rose-strewn as expected. Pakistan, after dithering over the decision, has finally decided to ban Momal Sheikh’s Bollywood debut film.

The film shows Diana’s Happy running away from her marriage and landing in Pakistan by mistake. According to reports, the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) had issues with a scene showing a portrait of Pakistani leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Anand said the board also had problem with Piyush Mishra’s Pakistani policeman. However, instead of asking for more cuts in the film, the board decided to ban Happy Bhag Jayegi. Anand compared this decision to films like Lage Raho Munnabhai which starred Mahatma Gandhi as a character.

Happy Bhag Jayegi producer Anand L Rai was quoted as saying, “The censor board of Pakistan saw the film and they loved it. They wanted us to cut a minor part of the film. We agreed to it. Initially, I was told that the film is clean. Later, we were informed that a ministry in Pakistan had objected to the film. As a filmmaker, the only greed I have is that the movie should reach a larger audience. The political reason for which a film is banned has nothing to do with a common man.”

Directed by Mudassar Aziz and starring: Momal Sheikh, Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Ali Fazal and Jimmy Shergill,