Pathaan was reportedly being screened illegally in Karachi, Pakistan; the Sindh Board of Film Censor has now managed to stop the screenings, as per reports.
Weeks after Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan released in theatres worldwide, illegal screenings were reported in Pakistan and the Sindh Board of Films Censor (SBFC) has now taken action in the matter. The screenings that were being held at Defence Housing Authority in Karachi, have now reportedly stopped. Directed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan stars Deepika Padukone, Dimple Kapadia, John Abraham and Ashutosh Rana, along with Shah Rukh. (Also read: Siddharth Anand reacts to Pathaan facing boycott: ‘Audience sees through agenda’)
A report in a Pakistani daily said that tickets for the screening were being sold online for ₹900 (Pakistani rupee) each. The report said these were private screenings being held by Fireworks Events.
Dawn also quoted SBFC as saying, “No person shall make or arrange a public or private exhibition of a film by means of cinematograph unless the film has been duly certified for public exhibition by the Board.” It added that screening of films not certified by the board may cause upto three years of imprisonment and fines upto Rs100,000 (Pakistani rupee), for those responsible. The Sindh Board of Film Censor has demanded the Firework Events to cancel its shows immediately and the screening have been cancelled.
A different report in the Pakistani daily also shared details of the screening, revealing that it was supposed to be “not HD, but really good and clear”. It added that the screen size was 8ft by 10ft, confirming that it was not a regular movie theatre screening Pathaan.