Pathaan release is stalled in Bangladesh

Bad news for the Shah Rukh Khan fans in Bangladesh! The blockbuster film Pathaan will not be released there this month. It was supposed to release on February 24 but was stalled at the last moment. What was the reason? It is heard that several programs are arranged in Bangladesh this month on the occasion of International Mother Language Day on February 21. This is celebrated as the month of language. Hence, no film in a different language will be released. 

If everything goes according to plan, Pathaan will release in March, as said by the film's importer, Ananya Mamun's Action Cut Entertainment. The film's release incited controversies in Bangladesh. A meeting between the information and broadcasting minister and 19 film organizations was held last Sunday. After the meeting, minister Hasan Mahmud said that he is for importing Hindi films into Bangladesh under certain conditions. It was decided in the meeting that ten Hindi films will be brought to Bangladesh annually. Actor Dipjol was not happy with this decision and termed it as ‘vulgar’. He said, “We will be gravely harmed if Hindi films are released here. We have decided on the release dates of five films, they will face losses.” He also said that there are vulgar songs and dances in Hindi films which do not go with Bangladesh’s culture. 

It is decided that Hindi films will not be shown during the Eids and puja. Not a single Hindi film was released in Bangladesh in the last eight years due to policy complications. However, Tollywood films are released in Bangladesh according to the SAFTA pact. 

Pathaan, directed by Siddharth Anand, was released on 25 January. It already did a business of Rs 1,000 cr.