Kabir Khan’s Phantom movie faces a ban in Pakistan by the court after a supplication was filed by certain individuals claiming that the film contains filthy propaganda against them and their organization.
Out of fury, Indian actor Saif Ali Khan said “I don’t have faith in Pakistan generally” and “the irony is that everybody is going to watch it anyway on pirated DVDs. That’s what happens a lot in Pakistan” without acknowledging how both these statements could have severe backlashes against him. Things began to go south for him after this.
Pakistanis saw it as an assault on their nation’s pride and self-image, and chose to thoroughly blacklist Phantom. Saif Ali Khan, as opposed to putting forth a conciliatory expression, exasperated the matter into heated discussions.
Pakistan stands united against this matter. At this point, Saif’s word or apologies will have no meaning as it has gone to a point of no return. Pakistan is Bollywood’s money-making machine but it seems like that Phantom is not going to gain much from this part of the region.
Pakistan is progressing to resuscitate its own silver screen and is doing it well. And keeping the fiasco that Saif brought upon himself, Phantom appears to have a gloomy fortune here in Pakistan.
According to the film maker, the movie is about anti-terrorism, not anti-Pakistan.
This is not the first time an associate of the film is attempting to legitimize the situation. Katrina Kaif, Saif Ali Khan and Kabir Khan have been attempting to settle things and somehow get the ban removed as they are probably aware of the fact that without the business they have in Pakistan, the film cannot be a success. However, the Indian media and authorities’ initial vitriol related with the film were sufficient to light the flame. Both the nations as of now have poor diplomatic relations and this was a cherry on top.
The Pakistani media and celebrities didn’t hold back in bashing Phantom and Saif Ali Khan for his irresponsible statements.
Pakistani actress Zhalay Sarhadi, of the film Jalaibee, recently shared some thoughts,
“So Saif Ali Khan had an incredibly stupid moment and passed a completely two-bitty statement. What I don’t get is why people have to give his moronic remark so much value and credit! He put his foot in his mouth. Don’t make his words golden by retorting. We are way beyond this people. Initiate, not react. I’m tired of being part of a tomato-throwing crowd. Let’s get applauded for once.”
Hamza Ali Abbasi, however, further bashed Phantom and Saif Ali Khan by saying that,
“No Pakistani actor said ‘I have lost faith in India’ when you banned WAAR and we also kept quiet when you banned Bin Roye in Maharashtra fearing a reaction from RSS-type extremist organizations. First you become part of a film which shows Pakistan to be a terrorist HQ and then complain when it’s banned? If you think it’s funny how a terrorist can go to court in Pakistan, I too find it funny how a mass murderer of Muslims in Gujarat can become the Prime Minister of India. Let me now say this, because of movies like Phantom and hateful actors like Saif Ali Khan, I AM LOSING FAITH IN INDIA.”
Faisal Qureshi, another public figure, released an entire video as a reply to Saif Ali Khan’s statements.
“We do not care if you have faith in Pakistan. Pakistan is not dependant on people like you nor do your comments matter. One thing is for sure, Pakistan is Pakistan, India is India, there is nothing like a brother-sister relationship between the two countries and it should not even be expected ever.”
Avoiding controversial statements, Fakhar-e-Alam, the chairman of Central Board of Film Censors, said,
“We have a clear set of laws and rules as legislated by the parliament. We have to comply with the law. (It’s as) simple as that.”
Alam said his job is to do what is lawful and he will do so without hesitation.
The movie might have reached Pakistani cinema had Saif Ali Khan stayed reserved with his words and if the movie’s trailer was not portraying Pakistan as a “terrorist HQ”. Kabir Khan’s work is good, but all we can say for him is better luck next time.
