ISLAMABAD: Central Film Censor Board (CFCB) Chairman Mubashar Hassan has said he holds in high esteem the judgment announced by Sindh High Court (SH C) on allowing the exhibition of controversial film ‘Maalik’.
“To my view the court has not been informed about the facts. We are in contact with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage in this regard. We will file appeal against the SHC decision,” he said during an exclusive talk with Daily Times.
The CFCB chief said some of the scenes screened in the film run contrary to the rules of censor board. In the film, he explained, people have been incited to rebel against the state organs, leading to anarchy and deterioration in the society.
He informed that such films foment rebellious tendencies among the youth, which cannot be tolerated in any way. Ban has been slapped on several films having controversial subjects, he pointed out.
“We banned two Indian films, including Figli and Ragni in 2014, and the number of such films rose to four in 2015. The films that have been banned so far in 2016 include Ishq Forever, Kia Kool Hain Hum, Dishoom, Hippy Bhag Jai Gi and Ambersarya,” he added.
Responding to a question, he said objective of CFCB was not to hurt anyone. However, he added, we prefer showcasing material that was in the best national interests and within the legal and constitutional parameters.
“Maalik was presented before all central and provincial censor boards but we think the way key national institutions have been targeted and the way people have been instigated to rise up for the sake of their rights and attack state institutions and go rebellious was highly inappropriate,” Hassan deplored. “I personally think that ban on exhibition of film should remain in place. We are in contact with the ministry in this regard and an appeal against the SHC decision would be filed soon,” he remarked.