‘Bangistan’ producer ‘shocked’ at film’s ban in Pakistan

Producer Ritesh Sidhwani, whose forthcoming film “Bangistan” has been stalled in Pakistan, says he is “shocked and clueless” about the satire comedy being banned in the neighbouring country.

“I am as clueless and shocked as you are because (they decided to ban the film) based on a trailer, but I have explained (to) them that you cannot judge on the basis of a trailer. A trailer will have to show a conflict (and) I cannot show you the entire film in my trailer…,” Sidhwani told IANS.

Talking about the film, he says he has created a fictional country called “Bangistan”, which “has its own passport, national flag and its own position on the world map. We have created a different world” where people of all castes live.

“But nowhere in the film does it say it’s Pakistan,” he added.

The “Dil Chahta Hai” producer also added that he has written to the Pakistan High Commission to send him an invitation letter so that he can show the movie to prove that it is not “anti-Pakistan”.

“I have written to them (that) I would come there personally with my team to show the film and then take a call after watching it,” he added.

It was reported that the producer along with the film’s director Karan Anshuman and actors Riteish Deshmukh and Pulkit Samrat have applied to visit the country.

Asked about travelling to Pakistan, Sidhwani said: “I need an invitation letter before I apply for the visa. Without an invitation letter, I cannot go to Pakistan. I am hoping that they will give me the letter.”

The film, which was mostly shot in Poland and Ladakh, is about two suicide bombers, Hafeez Bin Ali Ishwarchand Sharma (Riteish) and Allah Rakha Khan Praveen Chaturvedi (Pulkit), who have been brainwashed into an explosive mission but eventually realise the death wish is futile exercise.

“Bangistan”, which was slated to hit the theatres on July 31, will now release on August 7.

Riteish took to micro-blogging website Twitter on Friday to share the news.

“Bangistan Now Releases On 7th August,” he tweeted.

Inputs by IANS