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Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees banned in Pakistan for showing Muslims in ‘negative light’
Pakistan has banned Shah Rukh Khan's Raees for showing Muslims as 'criminals, wanted persons and terrorists.' Film's director Rahul Dholakia said he was shocked at the decision.

The release of the Indian movie Raees, which was scheduled to hit Pakistani cinemas on Sunday, was on Monday banned for its “inappropriate” portrayal of Muslims. Rumours about the Mahira Khan and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer releasing in Pakistan were ripe for the past one week. However, according to Dawn News, the Central Censor Board decided not to release the film in Pakistan. Reacting to the news, film’s director Rahul Dholakia took to Twitter to say that he was “outraged”.
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Sources in the know of the development told Dawn the reason behind it was that “the content undermines Islam, and a specific religious sect, (It also) portrays Muslims as criminals, wanted persons and terrorists”. Earlier, the film was in turbulent waters owing to the sour relations between Pakistan and India. Pakistani artistes were banned by certain outfits in India, due to which Mahira was not able to promote the film in India.
Dholakia took to Twitter to say, “#raeesbanned in Pakistan ??? Outraged !! Dumbfounded!!” Film’s lead actor Mahira Khan recently joined Shah Rukh Khan online to promote the film in India. During the media interaction, she had sounded enthusiastic about film’s impending release in Pakistan.
#raeesbanned in Pakistan ??? Outraged !! Dumbfounded!!
— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) February 6, 2017
WATCH VIDEO |Raees Releasing Soon In Pakistan, Confirms Mahira Khan
The film was scheduled to release in the neighbouring country after the ban on Bollywood films was lifted recently. The news had brought much happiness to its cast and crew, which was gearing up for the film’s big opening on Pakistani theatres on February 10. Mahira Khan, who finally promoted the film through a video call while interacting with Indian media in Mumbai recently, spoke about how people in Pakistan were eagerly waiting for its release. “You know there are more SRK fans than mine. Claps were louder for him, not me. It will release in Pakistan, and everybody is waiting,” she had said.
Last week, Bollywood film Kaabil released in Pakistan after a months-long self-imposed ban by exhibitors was lifted.


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